Rugby Predictions Today

Our TopBets, rugby experts will provide you with the latest rugby predictions on rugby from across the globe. The emphasis will be on the major leagues like the United Rugby Championship(URC), Super Rugby and of course our very own local Currie Cup. All the major international tournaments such as the Rugby Championships and the Six Nations will also be covered with our team providing rugby betting tips. You can be assured all the big rugby this weekend will be previewed on this page.

Rugby Predictions for FRIDAY 08 January 2026

We are committed to finding the best odds for you with the leading rugby betting sites in South Africa 

Latest Betway Rugby odds 

1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today

Castres vs Bath 

Tip 1: Bath to win 

Reason for the tip: Castres Olympique welcomes Bath to the Stade Pierre-Fabre for a compelling Investec Champions Cup clash that pits the top two teams in Group 2. The French side are traditionally formidable at home and will look to impose a physical, territory-driven game built around their experienced pack. Captain Baptiste Delaporte leads a back row that includes the industrious Tyler Ardron while Florent Vanverberghe and Guillaume Ducat provide muscle in the engine room. Half-back pairing Pierre Popelin and Jeremy Fernandez will aim to control tempo and keep Bath pinned in their own half. Out wide, the powerful Jack Goodhue and Vuate Karawalevu offer strike power if Castres can generate front-foot ball.

Bath arrive full of confidence after an excellent win over Exeter Chiefs last week. They have a star-studded backline capable of lighting up any contest. Finn Russell is the key figure, pulling the strings at ten alongside captain Ben Spencer who has the ability to vary pace and unlock defences. The back three of Santi Carreras, Henry Arundell and Will Muir provides pace and counter-attacking threat, while Cameron Redpath and Max Ojomoh add creativity in midfield. Up front, Beno Obano and Alfie Barbeary bring dynamism, supported by the work rate of Ted Hill and Miles Reid.  The difference will be the strength of the visitors bench therefore I am predicting an away win.  

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Edinburgh vs Gloucester: Home team (-20.5)

Reason for tip: Edinburgh welcomes Gloucester to Hive Stadium for a Champions Cup match that is expected to be shaped by tough winter weather with snow and rain forecast in the Scottish capital. These conditions are likely to favour the home side who are used to playing a direct, physical style in cold and wet conditions. Captain Magnus Bradbury leads a strong Edinburgh back row alongside Freddy Douglas and Liam McConnell, while Pierre Schoeman and Ewan Ashman offer real power from the bench in the second half. In the backs, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe provide pace and finishing quality although chances out wide may be limited by poor handling conditions. Fly-half Ross Thompson will have an important role with his kicking and decision-making.

Gloucester arrive with a forward pack ready for a physical contest, led by captain Seb Atkinson and experienced players such as Val Rapava Ruskin, Lewis Ludlow and Matias Alemanno. However, the wet and cold weather could make attacking rugby difficult, putting pressure on young half-backs Charlie Atkinson and Mike Austin to keep things simple. The presence of Ross Byrne on the bench may help Gloucester if the game stays close late on. With the weather favouring tight rugby based on scrums, mauls and defence, I am backing the home side for the win and to cover the -20.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Castres vs Bath- Away win
• Edinburgh vs Gloucester- Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Leicester Tigers vs Saracens- Home win✅
• La Rochelle vs Toulon- Home win✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Bulls vs Bristol
• Sale Sharks vs Hollywoodbets Sharks
• Leinster vs La Rochelle
• Clermont vs Glasgow Warriors
• Lions vs Lyon
• Scarlets vs Pau
• Leicester Tigers vs Bayonne

Understanding Rugby Betting 

It is crucial that players understand the different types of rugby betting. If a player places a wager on a handicap bet with fully understanding it, he could think they won the bet but instead they lost the bet as they did not understand how it works. Our rugby predictions will give you the option of the three way bet or the handicap betting as our previews will focus on this.

Different types of Rugby bets 

Match Winner

The most self-explanatory of bets to take on a rugby match. This is the most common and oldest type of rugby bet in which you select Team A or Team B to win. The odds on this type of bet may be low especially if your team is the favourite.

Draw No Bet

The draw is quite rare in Rugby Union, but it does happen from time to time. If you’re worried about the draw messing up your bet then take a Draw No Bet market. Your bet will be refunded if the match result ends in a draw.

Handicap Betting

The most popular bets on rugby are handicap bets. This is often where some of the best value is to be found. The handicap is an advantage that bookmakers give one team to make the game more balanced. The team given the positive handicap can win, draw or lose the game by less than the handicap to cover the bet and win. The team with the negative handicap must win the match by more than the points set out in the handicap to win their bet.

Total points over/under

The over/under betting market involves predicting whether the total number of points scored in a match will be above or lower than a certain predetermined number. For instance, if you bet on the over/under 50 points market and you bet on under, the combined score of the two teams shouldn’t exceed 50.

First Try Scorer

Rugby fans know the excitement that comes when a player breaks through the defence to score the first try. Betting on the first-try scorer is about predicting which player from either team will cross the try line first. This bet type carries higher odds as it’s challenging to predict, making potential payouts more lucrative.

Anytime Try Scorer

Less specific than the first-try scorer bet, the anytime try scorer wager involves picking a player you believe will score a try at any point during the match. The odds are typically lower than for the first-try scorer but offer a better chance of a payout.

FAQs

1 How long is a game of rugby?

A game of rugby is 80 minutes

2. How many players are there on a rugby team?

There are 15 players a side except in Rugby 7s where there are 5 players a side.

3. Where to watch rugby live?

Most of the rugby matches in South Africa can be watched live on Supersport. Betting sites like Betway and WSB offer live streaming on selected matches.

4. How to stream live rugby in South Africa for free?

Rugby Pass offers free streaming of selected matches.