Rugby Predictions Today

Rugby Predictions for Today 16 May 2025

Our TopBets rugby experts will provide you with the latest 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. 

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Latest Betway Rugby odds 

1X2 Tips for Today

Hurricanes vs Highlanders 

Tip 1: Hurricanes to win

Reason for the tip: The Hurricanes will be looking to secure a playoff position when they welcome the Highlanders to Wellington. The home side will be looking to continue with their recent excellent form and will hope their bye week does not disrupt their momentum. The visitors have not much to play for as they are out of the running for the playoffs and this makes them more dangerous. They welcome back some of their star players in Tanielu Tele’a and Jona Nareki who will definitely bolster their attack.

The Hurricanes biggest improvement in their last three matches has been the cohesion in attack with Rueben Love performing superbly in the flyhalf position. He will again be tasked to lead the talented backline around the park. One of the highlights in the match will be Timoci Tavatavanawai up against Billy Proctor in the midfield. The latter quickly regained the form that made him an All Black last season and will be a key man for the home side. I am tipping the Hurricanes to win this match. 

Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears

Tip 2: Sale Sharks to win

The Sale Sharks welcome the Bristol Bears in this crucial Gallagher Premiership match that is rightly being touted as a knockout contest. The home side are currently in fourth spot on the log with 49 points while the visitors are third with 52 points. Lurking just below them in fifth spot is Saracens who are also on 49. The Sale Sharks will be looking for a bonus point win with the winning margin more than seven points which will guarantee them a semi final spot. Bristol can lose and still qualify if they pick up two bonus points so it is everything to play for both teams. 

The Sale Sharks will be without two of their key players in Luke Cowan-Dickie and Aaron Reed who are both injured which is a massive loss for them. Bristol have a full strength team and will be going all out for revenge after they were whitewashed at home in the reverse fixture earlier this season. The main man for the home team will be George Ford as he has been leading the team around the field with aplomb. I am backing the Sharks to win this match. 

Munster vs Benetton 

Tip 3: Munster to win 

Munster will be playing their final home match of the season when they take on Benetton. The home crowd will be saying goodbye to a legend of the club in Peter O’Mahony. Munster will be looking for the victory that will prolong the veterans career into the knockout phase. Both teams are locked on 46 points with a win for either securing their top eight position. The loser can still progress to the next stage if both Cardiff and Edinburgh lose which seems highly unlikely especially as the Scottish side is playing at home. 

Benetton put in their performance of the season in the last round as they trounced the defending champions Glasgow Warriors 33-7. They will need a similar performance if they are to upset Munster on their home patch. One of the main reasons for their win was the form of flyhalf Jacob Umaga who was simply superb. His battle with opposite number Jack Crowley will go a long way to deciding the outcome of the match. I am tipping Munster to win this match as they have the more experienced team. 

Handicap Betting Tips For Today

Stormers vs Cardiff: Away team (+15.5)

Reason for tip: The Stormers secured their playoff spot last week and will be free to express themselves when Cardiff come to town. The home side have made some changes for this clash with Manie Libbok making a welcome return after a long injury break. He will have a point to prove as it seems that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has leapfrogged him for the ten jersey. For Cardiff the equation is simple, win and they will secure a top eight position while a loss will end their season. 

The Stormers will be hoping that other results go their way and they get to play their quarter final against the Sharks rather than travelling to Scotland to play Glasgow Warriors. Cardiff on the other hand will need the performance of their season if they are to win and sneak into the top eight. They will be counting on Welsh legend Taulupe Faletau to lead from the front if they are to have any chance. The home side may win the match but I am backing the visitors to cover the +15.5 handicap. 

Edinburgh vs Ulster: Away team (-11.5)

Reason for tip: Its last chance saloon for Edinburgh as they welcome Ulster to the HIVE Stadium. The home side are currently on 44 points and lie in 10th spot but they are just two points outside of the top eight. They will need a bonus point win and  hope that both Cardiff and the Scarlets lose to guarantee a playoff position. This is a very likely scenario as both teams have tough matches away in South Africa. 

Ulster have nothing but pride to play for and have shown in recent weeks that they are an attacking force to be reckoned with. Edinburgh will need a fast start as the visitors really struggled all season when they had to play catch up rugby. The home side must try and get the ball into Darcy Graham’s hands as much as possible as the winger can make something out of nothing. I am backing Edinburgh to win the match and cover the -11.5 handicap.

Accumulator of the Day 

Hurricanes vs Highlanders – Home win  

Waratahs vs Crusaders – Home win 

Sale Sharks vs Bristol- Home win

Munster vs Benetton- Home  win 

Stormers vs Cardiff- Home win

Edinburgh vs Ulster- Home win 

Yesterday’s Results

• Black Rams vs Honda Heat -Home  win✅
• Lions vs Scarlets– Home win❌
• Montpellier vs Bordeaux- Home win✅
• Exeter Chiefs vs Northampton Saints- Home win✅
• Argentina U20 vs Australia U20- Away win✅

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. 

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.

At Topbets, we pride ourselves on offering accurate and reliable betting predictions. Our free Whatsapp channel is designed to provide you with the best tips and insights to help you make informed betting decisions.

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