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 17 OCTOBER 2026
We are committed to finding the best odds for you with the leading rugby betting sites in South Africa
Latest Betway Rugby odds
No Rugby odds available.For Rugby Fixtures Today
Australia vs New Zealand: Home team (+10.5)1.74
Tip 1:New Zealand to win but by single digits
Reason for the tip: Australia have enough good players here to give New Zealand a proper game, but I am not completely sold on how this backline will fit together. Meredith gets a huge test at fly-half and Henry will have plenty to deal with outside him. That said, Wright and Jorgensen can make something happen if Australia find space. I actually like their back row a lot. Valetini, McReight and Wilson won’t take a backward step, so I expect Australia to come hard at New Zealand early and see what happens.
The All Blacks team just looks stronger to me, especially once you get past the forwards and start looking at those backs. Jordan can score from almost anywhere and McKenzie is never shy about having a go. Then there is Beauden Barrett at the back, which gives them another option with the ball. Australia being at home should keep things interesting. I don’t think this will be a walkover at all. My feeling is that New Zealand pull away late rather than dominate from the start therefore I am backing the Wallabies to cover the +10.5 handicap.
Bulls vs Stade Francais: Home team(-27.5)1.90
Tip 2: Bulls to win and cover the -27.5 handicap
Reason for the tip: The Bulls have changed plenty, but there is still a lot to like about this team. Pollard at fly-half immediately gives them control, and that back row of Van Staden, Louw and Hanekom looks made for a physical afternoon at Loftus. Giliomee making his Bulls debut at full-back is worth watching too. Stade Français have rotated heavily themselves, so I expect the Bulls to go after them early. If the forwards get on top, Pollard should have enough good ball to keep Stade under pressure.
Stade Français haven’t brought the strongest side they could have picked, and that makes this a difficult trip. There is still experience around with West, Delbouis and Metz, but several regular names are missing and Martin Blum gets his first start at scrum-half. What really pushes me towards the Bulls is their bench. Steenekamp, Grobbelaar, Papier and Willie le Roux can all come on later, which is some serious quality to have waiting. I think Stade will be competitive early on before the Bulls begin pulling away. I am backing the home side to cover the -27.5 handicap thanks to their super powerful bench.
Stormers vs Bristol Bears: Home team(-24.5)1.73
Tip 3: Stormers to win and cover the -24.5 handicap
Reason for the tip:The Stormers have gone strong for this one and the backline is where I think Bristol could have a long afternoon. Reinach and Feinberg-Mngomezulu together gives them pace from the base, while Willemse can pop up almost anywhere. Roos returning at number eight is another big plus after missing the start of the season with a hamstring problem. Add Kolisi to that loose trio and there is plenty of bite around the breakdown. The Stormers are also coming off a 39-22 win over the Sharks, so confidence should be high.
Bristol’s team doesn’t scare me nearly as much. Moroni and Marmion bring experience, and Rubiolo is a quality player in the pack, but this is a difficult place to bring a side containing several less established names. The Stormers bench could make things worse later on too. Fourie and Gelant are exactly the sort of players you don’t want arriving when everyone is getting tired. Bristol may have some good periods, but over 80 minutes I think the home side have too much and will eventually cover the 24.5 handicap.
La Rochelle vs Lions: Home team(-15.5)1.80
Tip 4: La Rochelle to win and cover the -15.5 handicap
Reason for the tip: La Rochelle look very strong through the loose forwards, with Alldritt, Jegou and McFarland giving them plenty of power around the field. Niniashvili is the man I would worry about if I were the Lions. Give him space and things can go wrong very quickly. The Lions do have some quality of their own, especially Horn, Van Wyk and Van den Berg, but winning at Stade Marcel-Deflandre is a huge ask. La Rochelle also have a powerful bench, with Boudehent, Moerat and Leyds waiting to come on.
This match will understandably feel very different after the tragic death of Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who passed away in France on Friday. The Lions have decided as a group to play the Champions Cup match as scheduled in his honour, and a moment’s silence will be held before the game. Trying to judge how that affects the players is impossible, so I wouldn’t attempt to. Looking purely at the rugby, La Rochelle have the stronger side and home advantage while the visitors will not be focused on the game therefore I am predicting the home side to win this match by 20 points.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Sale Sharks vs Glasgow Warriors: Away team(-1.5)1.90
Reason for tip: Sale against Glasgow is one of those games where I wouldn’t be surprised by either result. There is a lot I like about the Sale team, starting with Ford at ten and Lawes in the pack. Ben Curry will be busy as usual, and having Tom Curry waiting on the bench is quite a weapon. Sale will probably want this played on their terms rather than getting dragged into a loose game. Glasgow have caused them plenty of problems before, so there is no reason for Sale to underestimate them.
Glasgow have won the last four meetings between these teams and that makes them difficult to go against. Horne can get them moving quickly, while Tuipulotu and McDowall are two players Sale really need to watch in midfield. I am interested to see Van der Merwe at number eight as well. This feels like a game that could change hands a few times rather than one team running away with it. Home advantage helps Sale, but something about this Glasgow side makes me lean their way to a narrow win.
Clermont vs Leinster: Home team(+11.5)1.90
Reason for tip: Clermont have gone with a young-looking side and that makes this a massive challenge. There are still players I like in the team. Jauneau can cause problems around the fringes and Delguy is always worth watching when he gets some space. Plummer will have to control things well at ten because Leinster are not going to give Clermont many cheap opportunities. Playing at home will lift them, especially if they can stay close early. I just wonder whether this pack can live with Leinster once the pressure starts building.
Leinster haven’t messed around with their selection. Porter, Sheehan and Furlong make up a serious front row, with Ryan and McCarthy behind them. Then you get to Conan and Van der Flier and it doesn’t become any easier for Clermont. The backs are just as strong. Ringrose, Henshaw and Keenan have been in these big European games plenty of times before. Clermont will have their moments at home, I’m sure of that, but Leinster simply look too strong across the field. The visitors will come away with the win but I am backing the French side to cover the +11.5 handicap.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Bulls vs Stade Français Paris-Home win
- Australia vs New Zealand-Home win
- Sale Sharks vs Glasgow Warriors-Home win
- Clermont vs Leinster-Away win
- Stormers vs Bristol-Home win
- Connacht vs Saracens-Away win
- Stade Rochelais vs Lions-Home win
- Bath vs Montpellier-Home win
- Munster vs Racing 92-Home win
- Lyon vs Sharks-Home win
- Zebre vs Ulster-Away win
- Scarlets vs Newcastle Red Bulls-Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Northlands vs Otago-Home win✅
- Gloucester vs Bordeaux Begles-Away win❌
Rugby tomorrow
- Pau vs Leicester Tigers
- Toulouse vs Exeter Chiefs
- Saints vs Cardiff
- Bayonne vs Cheetahs
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.
