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 31 OCTOBER 2026
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Stormers vs Ulster- Away team handicap(+18.5)1.77
Tip 1: Stormers to win by 17 or less points
Reason for the tip:The Stormers look well equipped to control this one, particularly with the experience they have through the spine of the team. Damian Willemse at fullback gives them another playmaking option, while Cobus Reinach should provide quick service and keep Ulster guessing around the breakdown. Up front, Evan Roos, JD Schickerling and Wilco Louw give the hosts plenty of physicality. The bench is another major strength, with Bongi Mbonambi, Neethling Fouché and Wandisile Simelane capable of making a real impact late on.
Ulster certainly have enough quality to make the Stormers work, and Juarno Augustus against Evan Roos should be a particularly physical battle. James Hume and Michael Lowry offer attacking threat out wide, while David McCann and Cormac Izuchukwu will need to slow down the Stormers at the breakdown. My concern is whether Ulster can live with the home side’s power for the full 80 minutes. If the Stormers establish themselves up front, their bench should help them pull clear in the final quarter but despite this I am backing the visitors to cover the +18.5 handicap.
Bulls vs Scarlets: Away team(+25.5)1.90
Tip 2: Bulls to win by 25 points or less
Reason for the tip: The Bulls have picked a side that looks built to impose itself physically, and at Loftus that usually spells trouble for visiting teams. Cameron Hanekom and Hanro Liebenberg give them a serious presence around the breakdown, while Curwin Bosch and Willie le Roux provide the creativity to turn quick ball into points. Paul de Wet should also keep the tempo high. What really stands out is the Bulls bench, with Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, Cobus Wiese and Marcell Coetzee giving them considerable experience for the final quarter.
Scarlets have some dangerous players of their own, particularly Gareth Davies, Josh Macleod and Sam Lousi, while Gareth Anscombe could provide valuable control when he comes from the bench. The problem is containing the Bulls pack for 80 minutes while also dealing with the altitude and the hosts’ attacking game. Scarlets may stay competitive early, but I can see the Bulls gradually taking control before their replacements turn the screw. This looks like a match where the home side should eventually win with something to spare. I am however backing the Scarlets to cover the +25.5 handicap due to their never say die attitude.
Munster vs Sharks: Away team(W) 2.30
Tip 3: Sharks to win
Reason for the tip:Munster have plenty of quality, but this looks like a side the Sharks can get at. JJ Hanrahan will try to control territory and Alex Nankivell gives the hosts experience in midfield, yet the Sharks have serious power up front with Ox Nche, Jason Jenkins and Manu Tshituka. Jaden Hendrikse is also a major figure at scrum-half and should give Gianni Lombard the platform he needs. If the Sharks can match Munster physically and avoid giving away cheap penalties, they have enough attacking quality to hurt them.
The Sharks bench is what really swings this one for me. Thomas du Toit, Stephan Lewies and Vincent Tshituka can add considerable muscle in the second half, while Ivan van Zyl and Siya Masuku give them experienced options at half-back. Munster can counter with Gavin Coombes and Edwin Edogbo, so I still expect a tight contest deep into the second half. However, the Sharks look capable of finishing stronger, and their forward power could eventually wear Munster down and produce an important away victory.
Benetton vs Edinburgh: Home Team(W)1.83
Tip 4: Benetton to win
Reason for the tip: Benetton look well placed to make home advantage count, with enough attacking quality to cause Edinburgh problems throughout. Jacob Umaga and Andy Uren give them an experienced half-back combination, while Paolo Odogwu, Ignacio Mendy and Onisi Ratave offer plenty of threat when the game opens up. Lorenzo Cannone and Manuel Zuliani should also give Benetton plenty of energy around the breakdown. Their pack will need to stand up physically, but if they can provide quick ball, I expect Benetton to play with tempo and attack Edinburgh from different areas.
Edinburgh certainly have the players to make this a close contest. Duhan van der Merwe is an obvious danger, while Magnus Bradbury, Grant Gilchrist and Alec Hepburn give them experience up front. James Grayson will also look to keep Benetton pinned back with his kicking game. However, Edinburgh may find it difficult to contain the Italians if the match becomes loose, particularly in Treviso. I can see the visitors staying within touching distance for much of the game before Benetton’s home advantage eventually proves decisive
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Dragons vs Zebre: Home team(-12.5)1.90
Reason for tip:Dragons will see this as a very winnable home fixture, and their backline has enough experience to put Zebre under pressure. Rhodri Williams and Tinus de Beer should provide a steady platform at half-back, while Angus O’Brien offers another kicking option from fullback. Fine Inisi, Fetuli Paea and Anzelo Tuitavuki give them plenty of physicality further out. Up front, Harrison Keddie and Shane Lewis-Hughes will be important around the breakdown, and Dragons need to establish themselves early rather than allowing Zebre confidence.
Zebre can be dangerous when allowed to play at tempo, with Simone Gesi and Marco Zanon among the players capable of punishing loose defending. Their challenge will be maintaining that threat while dealing with Dragons’ pressure for the full 80 minutes. This feels like the type of match that could remain close for a long time, especially if Giacomo Da Re keeps Zebre in good field position. Still, Dragons have the stronger home advantage and enough experience in key positions to win by more than 12 points
Ospreys vs Cardiff: Away team(+5.5)1.90
Reason for tip:Ospreys have enough quality to make this Welsh derby a real battle, particularly through Morgan Morris, Ross Moriarty and James Ratti in the pack. Owen Watkin and Keiran Williams give them experience in midfield, while Keelan Giles provides the pace to punish Cardiff if space appears out wide. Much will depend on Lawson Creighton controlling the game from fly-half and keeping his side in the right areas. At home, Ospreys should be competitive, but they will need to be disciplined because Cardiff have plenty of attacking options.
Cardiff look slightly stronger to me, particularly across their backline. Josh Adams is always a threat, while Jarrod Evans and Johan Mulder should give them good control at half-back. Le Roux Malan and Steff Emanuel also provide a dangerous midfield combination. Up front, Josh McNally brings experience, and Cardiff have an impressive bench with Scott Sio, Javan Sebastian and Callum Sheedy available later. Welsh derbies are rarely straightforward, but Cardiff appear to have more ways to hurt Ospreys and I fancy them to sneak an away victory.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Stormers vs Ulster- Home win
- Benetton vs Edinburgh- Away win
- Bulls vs Scarlets- Home win
- Dragons vs Zebre- Home win
- Munster vs Sharks- Home win
- Ospreys vs Cardiff Rugby- Away win
- Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins- Home win
- Saracens vs Newcastle Red Bulls- Home win
- Bath vs Sale Sharks- Home win
- Northampton Saints vs Gloucester- Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Bristol vs Leicester Tigers- Home win❌
- Connacht vs Leinster- Home win❌
- Glasgow vs Lions- Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- Pau vs Toulouse
- Tonga vs Samoa
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.
