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 20 December 2025

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

Stormers vs Lions

Tip 1: Stormers to win 

Reason for the tip: The Stormers welcome the Lions in an all-South African clash that is sure to be physical as is the case with all derby matches.  The hosts look well balanced with Warrick Gelant pulling the strings from fullback and offering creativity and counter-attacking threat. The halfback pairing of Cobus Reinach and Jurie Matthee should ensure tempo and control while the midfield combination of Wandisile Simelane and Jonathan Roche brings pace and direct running. Up front, the Stormers pack is led by captain Salmaan Moerat whose work rate and leadership will be vital against a confrontational Lions forward unit. Evan Roos remains a key weapon at the back of the scrum, providing power, ball-carrying and breakdown presence, supported by the industrious Marcel Theunissen and Paul de Villiers.

The Lions arrive with plenty of ambition with a full-strength team. Quan Horn and Eduan Keyter give them pace in the back three, while Chris Smith’s game management at fly-half will be crucial. Captain Francke Horn leads a hard-working pack that includes the powerful Asenathi Ntlabakanye and energetic Ruan Venter. If the Stormers can impose their structure and accuracy, especially at set piece and breakdown, they should have the edge. I am backing the Stormers to come away with the win despite missing stars like Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ruhan Nel. 

Sharks vs Bulls 

Tip 2: Sharks to win

Reason for the tip:.This URC showdown brings together two heavyweight South African rivals when the Sharks welcome the Bulls to a packed Kings Park. The hosts boast a star-studded lineup led by captain André Esterhuizen in midfield, supported by the experience and finishing quality of Makazole Mapimpi and Edwill van der Merwe out wide. At halfback, Grant Williams and Jordan Hendrikse provide pace and creativity, while the back row of Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka and Phepsi Buthelezi offers a strong mix of breakdown skill and athleticism. Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi anchors the set piece, with Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden tasked with matching the Bulls’ renowned physicality. The home side will be severly tested in the scrum by powerhouse Bulls prop Wilco Louw.

The visitors arrive with their own wealth of experience as Springbok veterans Willie le Roux and Handré Pollard give them control and tactical intelligence, while Embrose Papier’s speed around the fringes can test any defence. Captain Elrigh Louw leads a powerful pack featuring Cobus Wiese and Wilco Louw, ensuring dominance at contact and scrum time. This clash is likely to be decided by discipline and execution. If the hosts can match the Bulls physically and use their strike runners effectively then I see the Sharks coming away with the win. 

Benetton vs Zebre 

Tip 3: Benetton to win

Reason for the tip:This all-Italian URC clash promises a fascinating contest as two familiar rivals look to assert domestic pride and build momentum. The hosts field a strong backline featuring Italy internationals Tommaso Menoncello and Michele Lamaro, who bring leadership and intensity through the midfield and at the breakdown. Jacob Umaga and Alessandro Garbisi form a composed halfback pairing, capable of controlling tempo while releasing dangerous outside runners like Paolo Odogwu and Ignacio Mendy. Up front, Federico Ruzza adds experience in the engine room, while So’otala Fa’aso’o provides powerful ball-carrying from the base of the scrum.

Zebre Parma arrive eager to challenge their more fancied opponents and show continued progress. Giovanni Montemauri and Giacomo Da Re will be key to managing territory and keeping Zebre competitive, while Marco Zanon and Damiano Mazza offer solidity in midfield. Captain Leonard Krumov leads a hardworking pack that will look to disrupt at set piece and breakdown, with David Odiase carrying hard in tight exchanges. The overall class in the Benetton team will prove to be the difference with the likes of Tomas Albornoz coming off the bench to seal the win for the hosts. 

Ospreys vs Munster

Tip 4: Ospreys to win

Reason for the tip:Ospreys welcome Munster in a compelling URC clash that pits Welsh grit against Irish efficiency. The hosts are captained by hooker Dewi Lake whose power at the breakdown and accuracy at lineout time will be central to Ospreys’ chances. Dan Edwards and Reuben Morgan-Williams steer the side from halfback while the back three of Max Nagy, Dan Kasende and Keelan Giles offer pace and counter-attacking threat. In the pack, Morgan Morris and Harri Deaves provide the work rate needed from the back row.

Munster arrive with a typically physical and well-balanced side. Jack Crowley controls matters at fly-half but will miss the services of his halfback partner Craig Saey.  Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell form a robust midfield pairing that the hosts need to keep a closes eye on. The Munster pack is led by captain Jack O’Donoghue, with Gavin Coombes offering relentless ball-carrying and Jean Kleyn adding muscle in the second row. Set-piece battles and breakdown speed are likely to decide the contest and this is an area that Ospreys have an advantage as the visitors are missing their talisman Taighe Berne. I am backing the home side to come away with a narrow victory. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Dragons vs Connacht: Home team (+5.5)

Reason for tip: Dragons host Connacht in this URC encounter looking to test themselves against one of the competition’s most physical Irish sides. The Welsh outfit will lean heavily on the experience of co-captains Angus O’Brien and Ben Carter to manage territory and keep the game tight. Tinus de Beer’s boot at fly-half gives Dragons a reliable scoring outlet, while wings Rio Dyer and Jared Rosser provide pace and counter-attacking threat. In the pack, Harri Keddie and Harry Beddall will be tasked with matching Connacht’s intensity at the breakdown.

Connacht arrive with a strong spine and plenty of power. Bundee Aki’s presence in midfield is a major advantage, offering direct running and defensive solidity alongside the creative Cathal Forde. Half-backs Caolin Blade and Josh Ioane will look to control tempo and exploit quick ball, while captain Cian Prendergast leads a mobile back row supported by the work rate of Paul Boyle and Seán O’Brien. New recruit Sam Gilbert will provide stability in the fullback position. The visitors should come away with the win but I am backing the home side to cover the +7.5 handicap. 

Harlequins vs Bristol: Home team (-3.5)

Reason for tip: Harlequins welcome Bristol Bears to the Stoop in what promises to be a fast-paced Prem clash between two attack-minded sides. Quins are led by captain Cadan Murley, with Marcus Smith pulling the strings at fly-half and looking to bring tempo and creativity to their game. The backline has plenty of pace and flair, with Nick David counter-attacking from fullback and Oscar Beard offering punch in midfield. Up front, Chandler Cunningham-South and Jack Kenningham give Quins strong carrying options.

Bristol arrive with real star power and physical edge. Louis Rees-Zammit adds serious speed from fullback, supported by the powerful Kalaveti Ravouvou and the direct running of Benhard Janse van Rensburg. Captain Fitz Harding leads a mobile back row, while Ellis Genge and Gabriel Oghre provide bite at the scrum and breakdown. Tom Jordan’s game management at fly-half will be key to keeping Bristol composed. Both teams thrive on quick ruck ball but the difference is likely to be Smith and his innovation in the pivot position. I am backing Harlequins to win and cover the -3.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Stormers vs Lions- Home win
• Benetton vs Zebre- Home win
• Glasgow vs Edinburgh- Home win
• Sharks vs Bulls-Home win
• Ospreys vs Munster- Away win
• Dragons vs Connacht-Away win
• Saracens vs Exeter Chiefs-Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Cardiff vs Scarlets- Away win✅
• Leinster vs Ulster-Away win❌

Rugby tomorrow

• Newcastle vs Bath- Away win
• Bordeaux Begles vs Toulon
• Honda Heat vs Kobe Steelers

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.