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. You can be assured all the big rugby this weekend will be previewed on this page.
Rugby Predictions SATURDAY 08 AUGUST 2026
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Argentina vs Springboks: Away team(-14.5)1.80
Tip 1: Springboks to win
Reason for the tip: Argentina take on South Africa in the Nations Championship match, with changes in personnel in both the teams. Pablo Matera will lead the Argentineans with Santiago Carreras wearing the No. 10 jersey, whereas Joaquín Moro forms part of the backrow for Argentina. There is no shortage of attacking options in Argentina with Rodrigo Isgró, Lucio Cinti and Ignacio Mendy. However, it will certainly be an uphill task for the Pumas against a formidable South African side which will have a few experienced players back in the playing XI.
South Africa’s returning players include their captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu comes back into the fray after being out injured to wear the No. 10 jersey. Cobus Reinach will bring experience to the scrumhalf position for the Springboks, with Canan Moodie, Edwill van der Merwe and Ethan Hooker providing pace to the backline. The Springboks will target the inexperienced Puma backs and use their forward pack to dominate the physical battles. I am backing the visitors to win and cover the -14.5 handicap.
Japan vs Australia: Home team (+18.5) 1.76 odds
Tip 2: Australia to win
Reason for the tip: Japan face Australia in what should be an exciting Nations Championship encounter with both teams naming a mix of experience and emerging talent. Japan will be led by Warner Dearns, with Naoto Saito providing experience at scrumhalf and Ben Gunter and Faulua Makisi adding physicality in the back row. Dylan Riley and Taira Main offer attacking threat, while Michael Leitch provides valuable experience from the bench.
Australia have plenty of quality throughout their starting XV, with Harry Wilson captaining the side from number eight. Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii provide considerable attacking pace, while Hunter Paisami adds power in midfield. Australia also have significant impact from the bench, including Taniela Tupou and Tate McDermott. Both teams are desperate for the win as they know a second loss in their campaign will end any hopes of a title challenge. The Wallabies will come away with the win but I am backing Japan to cover the +18.5 handicap.
Griquas(WIN) 1.80 odds vs Lions
Tip 3: Griquas to win
Reason for the tip: In the Currie Cup, Griquas and Lions clash at Suzuki Stadium in another eagerly awaited meeting between two teams with genuine hopes of winning the tournament. As the defending champions, Griquas were able to demonstrate their grit last week when they eked out a tough 24-21 win against the Cheetahs. It was not just the four tries but rather their ability to stand up to continuous pressure from the Cheetahs in the second half which made their performance more impressive.
On the other hand, the Lions will go into the match with a lot of confidence after hammering the Bulls XV 42-19 in the Jukskei Derby. They have been showing why they are currently topping the table through their impressive performance. Sam Francis will try to control the game from the flyhalf position, with Jason Hugo and Keagan Smith being two more attackers that can do damage. However, the Lions have won two out of their three games so far. The hard field of Kimberley and passionate home support will see Griquas to victory.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Sharks vs Boland(WIN) 2.25 odds
Reason for tip: The Sharks XV will be looking to make home advantage count when they face the Boland Kavaliers in what promises to be another closely contested Currie Cup encounter. Ross Braude captains the Sharks from scrumhalf, with Tim Swiel providing experience at flyhalf. Luan Giliomee, Lyle Matthews and Khuthi Rasivhaga offer attacking threat in the backline, while Tino Mavasere and Johan Momsen will be important in the forward battle. The Sharks will need greater discipline and defensive organisation if they are to secure the victory.
Boland arrive in Durban looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the campaign against the Pumas. Despite that setback, the Kavaliers have impressed since returning to the Currie Cup and have shown plenty of confidence against stronger opposition. Thurlow Marsh leads the side from number eight, with Louis Schreuder and Ashlon Davids forming an experienced halfback combination. The previous meeting between these teams produced a dramatic 33-31 Sharks victory, highlighting how little separates them. Another tight contest is expected but the strength of the Boland bench sees them to a narrow victory.
Bulls XV vs Pumas: Home team(+10.5)1.87 odds
Reason for tip: Bulls XV have not yet won in the Currie Cup competition, with three games already played and only one log point collected. The defence must be of great concern considering that they have conceded 122 points. They could hope that a home game at Pretoria could turn things around for them. Keagan Johannes is named captain in the scrumhalf position while Devon Williams plays as flyhalf for the Bulls XV. Dieter Schubert and Abongile Nonkontwana could make a difference on the forwards’ side.
Pumas have regained confidence after recording a 20-15 victory on the road against the undefeated Boland Kavaliers. Stonehouse’s team has only won once out of three matches played, but bonus points keep them close to the leading sides. Willie Engelbrecht will lead the team with Nevaldo Fleurs and Thomas Bursey in the halfback line-up. The visitors also enjoy the advantage of having won three out of the last five games played against the Bulls. With the Bulls struggling with defence and the Pumas coming from a victory, the visitors should have enough quality to register another victory by less than 10 points
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Japan vs Australia- Away win
- Argentina vs South Africa- Away win
- Griquas vs Lions
- Bulls vs Pumas- Away win
- Sharks vs Boland Cavaliers- Away win
- Auckland vs Wellington- Home win
- Bay of Plenty vs Northland- Home win
- Hawke’s Bay vs Tasman- Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Stormers vs All Blacks- Away win✅
- Taranaki vs Waikato- Away win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- Stormers XXlll vs Cheetahs
- Otago vs Canterbury
- Manuwatu vs Southland
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.
