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 SATURDAY 28 February 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

Chiefs vs Crusaders 

Tip 1: Chiefs to win 

Reason for the tip: The Chiefs host the Crusaders in what promises to be a high-tempo Super Rugby showdown between two New Zealand heavyweights. The Chiefs backline carries a serious attacking threat, with Etene Nanai-Seturo and Emoni Narawa offering pace out wide, while Quinn Tupaea’s direct running in midfield provides punch. Captain Luke Jacobson anchors a dynamic loose trio alongside Kaylum Boshier, giving the hosts breakdown intensity and ball-carrying power. Up front, Samisoni Taukei’aho’s return at hooker strengthens the Chiefs’ set piece, and the lock pairing of Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord adds athleticism in the lineout. If Josh Jacomb and Xavier Roe can control territory and tempo, the Chiefs will feel confident at home.

The Crusaders will be desperate for a win, having lost their opening two matches. They will need Will Jordan’s counterattacking brilliance from fullback as it is always a decisive factor, while the midfield combination of David Havili and Leicester Fainga’anuku blends creativity with physicality. Up front, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell headline a powerful front row, and Ethan Blackadder’s work rate at flank sets the tone defensively. The defending champions just don’t seem to gel therefore I am backing a Chiefs win. 

Brumbies vs Blues

Tip 2: Brumbies to win 

Reason for the tip:.The Brumbies face a stern test against the Blues in what shapes as a classic trans-Tasman battle built on forward power and backline precision. The home side have been the form team with two bonus points wins. Ryan Lonergan captains the Brumbies from scrumhalf and will look to control territory alongside flyhalf Declan Meredith. Out wide, Corey Toole’s speed is a constant threat, while Rob Valetini and Rory Scott bring physicality and breakdown presence to the loose trio. Veteran prop James Slipper anchors a set piece that will need to be rock solid.

The Blues arrive with serious firepower but will need to play as a team. They have Caleb Clarke’s explosiveness on the wing and the midfield pairing of Pita Akhi and AJ Lam provide both punch and creativity. Stephen Perofeta’s game management at flyhalf will be key, especially with Dalton Papali’i leading a dynamic back row that includes the powerful Hoskins Sotutu. Up front, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Kurt Eklund add muscle at scrum time. The match is likely to be decided at the breakdown as both teams have great fetchers in their side. If the Brumbies dominate territory and slow Blues ball, they can grind it out a narrow victory and keep their unbeaten record intact. 

Bulls vs Sharks 

Tip 3: Bulls to win

Reason for the tip:The Lions host the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday in what promises to be a thrilling South African derby. Playing at altitude in Johannesburg, the Lions will look to use home advantage and tempo to put the Sharks under pressure early. Captain Francke Horn leads a hardworking pack that includes Ruan Venter and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, while Morné van den Berg and Chris Smith will aim to control the game with quick service and tactical kicking. Out wide, Quan Horn and Angelo Davids provide pace and finishing ability if space opens up.

The Sharks arrive with a strong and experienced lineup, captained by Vincent Tshituka in the back row. Jaden Hendrikse and Siya Masuku form an exciting halfback pairing, while Aphelele Fassi’s attacking threat from fullback could be crucial on counterattack. The Sharks bench also offers real impact, with Springbok prop Vincent Koch adding power in the scrums. The breakdown battle and set-piece contest will likely decide this clash. If the Lions can maintain intensity and use the altitude to their advantage, they will be confident.  The strength of the home sides bench will see them to victory. 

Lions vs Stormers 

Tip 4: Stormers to win 

Reason for the tip: The Lions take on the Stormers in a fierce URC South African derby that promises physicality and attacking ambition in equal measure. Quan Horn provides stability at fullback for the hosts, while Angelo Davids’ pace on the wing offers a genuine strike weapon. Captain Francke Horn leads from No.8 and will be central to the Lions’ forward momentum, supported by the industrious Batho Hlekani and Siba Mahashe in the loose trio but they will miss the services of Ruan Venter who is out with concussion. If Chris Smith controls territory well and Morne van den Berg injects tempo, the Lions can put real pressure on.

The Stormers, however, boast exciting attacking threats across the park. Warrick Gelant’s counterattacking ability and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s creativity at flyhalf can unlock even the tightest defences. Evan Roos brings explosive ball-carrying at the back of the scrum, while skipper JD Schickerling marshals a powerful pack. With Wandisile Simelane and Leolin Zas out wide, the visitors have the finishing ability to punish defensive lapses. This clash could be decided at the breakdown and in transition play. If the Lions win the collisions, they’ll stay in it, but the Stormers’ attacking polish will sway the match in their favour. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Munster vs Zebre: Away team (+25.5)

Reason for tip: Munster welcome Zebre Parma in a clash where the Irish province will expect to impose their structure and physical edge from the outset. Mike Haley offers reliability at fullback, while Calvin Nash and Shane Daly provide pace and finishing ability out wide. The midfield pairing of Dan Kelly and Tom Farrell brings direct running and defensive solidity, giving JJ Hanrahan a steady platform to control territory with his kicking game.Up front, captain Jack O’Donoghue leads a powerful back row alongside Gavin Coombes and the explosive Brian Gleeson. Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley add lineout authority, and the front row anchored by Michael Ala’alatoa should look to establish scrum dominance early. Munster’s bench also carries experience, with John Ryan and Alex Kendellen capable of maintaining intensity late on.

Zebre Parma will aim to play with ambition, using the creativity of Giacomo Da Re and the leadership of Giacomo Ferrari at No.8. Simone Gesi’s pace out wide could threaten if space opens up, but consistency remains their challenge. The man that is a workhorse and can be a menace in attack and at the breakdown is Bautista Stavile.  Munster will have the upper hand on this inexperienced Zebre side and will come away with the win but I am backing the visitors to cover the +25.5 handicap. 

Ospreys vs Ulster: Away team (-4.5)

Ospreys host Ulster in what shapes as a tightly contested URC encounter built around physical forward exchanges and tactical kicking. The Welsh side boast experience in the back row, with Morgan Morse, Ross Moriarty and James Ratti offering power and breakdown presence. Co-captains Jack Walsh and Sam Parry will be central to game management, while Owen Watkin and Keiran Williams provide midfield steel. If Keelan Giles and Dan Kasende find space out wide, Ospreys can turn pressure into points.

Ulster arrive with strong leadership under Iain Henderson and an exciting spine through the team. Nathan Doak’s control at scrumhalf and Jack Murphy’s composure at flyhalf will look to dictate territory. Michael Lowry remains a constant attacking spark from fullback, while James Hume adds directness in midfield. Up front, Tom Stewart’s accuracy at the lineout and Eric O’Sullivan’s work at scrum time give Ulster a solid platform. The Irish side have been one of the form teams and have only lost a few players to the national team so we expect them to come away with the visitor and to cover the -4.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes- Away win
• Chiefs vs Crusaders- Home win
• Brumbies vs Blues- Home win
• Lions vs Stormers- Away win
• Bulls vs Sharks- Home win
• Dragons vs Benetton- Home win
• Munster vs Zebre- Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Moana Pasifika vs Force- Away win✅
• Reds vs Highlanders- Away win❌
• Cardiff vs Leinster- Away win❌
• Edinburgh vs Scarlets- Home win✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Pau vs Bordeaux Begles
• Canon Eagles vs Spears Kubota
• Blue Revs vs Suntory Sungoliath

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.