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 13 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 La Rochelle 

Tip 1: Stormers to win 

Reason for the tip: The Stormers yet again host La Rochelle in a highly anticipated Round 2 Champions Cup showdown in Cape Town as this is the third meeting between the sides. The previous two matches were separated by just one point with each team winning one. The home side welcomes Cobus Reinach for his debut, adding world-class speed and experience at scrumhalf to a backline already loaded with talent. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu directs play at fly-half with the explosive Damian Willemse and the ever-reliable Ruhan Nel in the midfield. Out wide, Warrick Gelant, Seabelo Senatla and Leolin Zas provide electric counter-attacking threat. Evan Roos brings trademark physicality at No. 8, supported by Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers in a mobile, hard-working loose trio.

Former two time champions La Rochelle arrives with serious intent, led by talismanic captain Grégory Alldritt who is one of the best No. 8s in world rugby. Levani Botia adds breakdown threat and destructive carrying while the backline features the pace of Davit Niniashvili and the familiar presence of former Stormer Dillyn Leyds at fullback. With Ihaia West steering the attack and a powerful bench including Uini Atonio and Reda Wardi, the French giants will challenge the Stormers physically and tactically. This Stormers team is building something special therefore I am backing them for the win. 

Sharks vs Saracens

Tip 2: Sharks to win

Reason for the tip:. Round 2 of the Champions Cup delivers a heavyweight clash as the Sharks host Saracens in Durban with both sides stacked with international. The Sharks field one of their strongest line-ups of the season, headlined by World Cup winners Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche and Vincent Koch while Andre Esterhuizen’s return in midfield adds enormous carrying power. Grant Williams’ speed at scrumhalf and the dynamism of Phepsi Buthelezi and Vincent Tshituka give the hosts real attacking bite.

Saracens counter with their own star-studded core with Owen Farrell directing play, Ben Earl and Theo McFarland providing athletic dominance and the world-class trio of Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Elliot Daly bringing experience and composure. The battle at the breakdown and the collisions in midfield, Esterhuizen vs Tompkins promising to be one of the highlights in the Durban heat. The Sharks’ scrum could tilt the contest slightly their way but Saracens’ structure, kicking pressure and big-match temperament make them dangerous throughout. I am tipping the home side for the win as they will want to impress new coach JP Pietersen in his first match in charge. 

Newcastle Red Bulls vs Lions 

Tip 3: Newcastle to win

Reason for the tip: Newcastle Red Bull welcome the Lions to Kingston Park for a fiercely contested Round 2 clash in the Challenge Cup with both sides fielding competitive teams. The home side hand the reins to the experienced Brett Connon at fly-half, supported by the sharp running of Boeta Chamberlain at fullback and the pace of Oll Spencer and Harrison Obatoyinbo out wide. The midfield pairing of Ethan Grayson and Alex Hearle brings strong ball-carrying ability while veteran No. 8 Amanaki Mafi adds power at the back of the scrum. Captain George McGuigan anchors the forward pack with Tom Christie and Tom Gordon set to provide work rate and defensive intensity across the breakdown.

The Lions arrive with a well-balanced and physical lineup looking to bounce back after their home loss to Benetton. Captain Francke Horn IS at No. 8 and forms part of a dynamic loose trio featuring Ruan Venter and Jarod Cairns. Chris Smith’s tactical control at fly-half and Morne van den Berg’s tempo at scrumhalf give the Lions a stable spine while Quan Horn and Eduan Keyter offer finishing threat in the back three. This promises to be a tight, physical contest between two sides desperate for early momentum in the competition but I am backing the home side to come away with a hard fought victory. 

Clermont vs Sale Sharks 

Tip 4: Clermont to win

Reason for the tip:Clermont return to the Champions Cup desperate to respond after their heavy opening-round defeat and they now face a dangerous Sale Sharks side in Round 2. The hosts will lean heavily on the power of Pita Sowakula, the breakdown presence of Marcos Kremer and the ball-carrying of Selevasio Tolofua to match Sale’s physicality. Behind the scrum, young halfback Baptiste Jauneau and fly-half Harry Plummer will need composure to control territory while wings Jurand and Delguy offer finishing threats if Clermont can generate momentum.

Sale made a multitude of changes with George Ford back at flyhalf steering the ship and looking to exploit Clermont’s defensive lapses. The battle between Ford and Plummer could shape the match, while Luke Cowan-Dickie and Asher Opoku-Fordjour anchor a Sale pack that thrives in set-piece dominance. If Clermont can bring intensity at home and improve accuracy, they can make this competitive but Sale’s cohesion, discipline and tactical control give them an edge. Clermont have built a fortress at home and its for this season I am backing the French side to come away with the win. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Bordeaux vs Scarlets: Home team (-37.5)

Reason for tip: Champions Bordeaux-Bègles host the Scarlets in Round 2 of the Champions Cup and will view this as a crucial opportunity to continue the momentum after an excellent win away to the Bulls to start their title defence. Maxime Lucu captains from scrumhalf with the maestro Matthieu Jalibert pulling the strings at fly-half, the home side have a polished, high-tempo attacking system that will test the Scarlets’ defensive organisation. The backline is stacked with firepower with Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Salesi Rayasi offering pace, evasion and finishing ability, while the midfield pairing of Nicolas Depoortere and Yoram Moefana provides direct running and creativity.

The Welsh side arrives with quality individuals with the likes of Gareth Davies, Sam Costelow, Jake Ball, and Sam Lousi but their form has been inconsistent, and they have struggled to sustain pressure in big European fixtures. While Johnny Williams and Eddie James offer punch in midfield, Scarlets will need a near-perfect defensive performance to contain Bordeaux’s multi-layered attack. There is just too much firepower in the Bordeaux team from their impressive backline to powerful scrum. I am backing the home side to win and cover the -37.5 handicap. 

Munster vs Gloucester: Home team (-15.5)

Reason for tip:Munster welcome Gloucester to Thomond Park for Round 2 of the Champions Cup with the  Irish side entering as favorites despite their disappointing opening round loss to Bath. Tadhg Beirne captains a formidable pack featuring Jean Kleyn, Tom Ahern and barnstorming No.8 Gavin Coombes, giving Munster a clear edge in physicality and set-piece control. At halfback, Craig Casey and the returning Jack Crowley bring tempo and attacking fluency, while the backline gains extra punch through Dan Kelly, Tom Farrell, and the electric finishing of Thaakir Abrahams and Diarmuid Kilgallen. They will need to be better at turning possession into points against the visitors who are confident after beating Castres.

Gloucester come into this match with a youthful squad and a new-look spine. Experienced playmakers Ross Byrne and Tomos Williams will guide the side and the midfield pairing of Seb Atkinson and Max Llewellyn carries real promise. The Cherry and Whites also boast abrasive forwards like Matias Alemanno and captain Lewis Ludlow but consistency and discipline have been their biggest challenges this season. Away from home and facing a far more cohesive Munster unit, Gloucester will need exceptional defence to stay in the contest. I am backing the home side for the win and back them to cover the -15.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Stormers vs La Rochelle- Home win
• Clermont vs Sale Sharks- Home win
• Sharks vs Saracens- Home win
• Bordeaux vs Scarlets- Home win
• Munster vs Gloucester- Home win
• Cheetahs vs Stade Francais- Away win
• Newcastle vs Lions- Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Leicester Tigers vs Leinster✅
• Montpellier vs Zebre✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Castres vs Edinburgh
• Harlequins vs Bayonne
• Toulon vs Bath
• Northampton Saints vs Bulls

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.