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 19 SEPTEMBER 2026
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TJapan vs Fiji: Home team(-4.5)1.90
Tip 1: Japan to win and over
Reason for the tip: TThe Brave Blossoms will go into the match with Fiji after winning an amazing semi-final against the USA by 63-14, including nine tries. In his starting XV, Eddie Jones has selected Naoto Saito as captain for the match while Mamoru Harada, Dylan Riley and Sam Greene will also make it to the match having played in the semi-final. Japan will try to play at high pace and also maintain possession, which will definitely be the strength of the Japanese side in the eyes of Fiji coach Senirusi Seruvakula.
The Fijians are the defending champions who defeated Canada 45-29 in their semi-final match. The Flying Fijians have won the past two finals against Japan in the competition. The team comprises the captain Tevita Ikanivere, Frank Lomani, Caleb Muntz and Virimi Vakatawa. It is very likely that Fiji’s physical attributes along with attacking capability on turnovers can help them a lot against the quick play of the Japanese team.I am backing Japan to come away with the win and cover the -4.5 handicap due to their home ground advantage.
Canada vs USA: Home team(+7.5)1.90
Tip 2: Canada to cover the +7.5 handicap
Reason for the tip:The USA head into this Pacific Nations Cup third-place play-off looking to respond after their heavy 63-14 defeat against Japan. Scott Lawrence has made five changes, with Faka’osi Pifeleti, Lance Williams, Luke Carty, Cassh Maluia and Julian Roberts entering the starting XV. Ruben de Haas will provide control at scrumhalf, while Luke Carty starts at fly-half. The Eagles also have attacking threats in midfield, with Cassh Maluia and Dom Besag capable of carrying strongly. They will be determined to produce a more disciplined and physical performance in Tokyo this weekend.
Canada arrive after a spirited 45-29 defeat against Fiji and will draw confidence from their previous victory over the USA. Steve Meehan has made four changes, bringing Foster DeWitt, Ethan Fryer, Jesse Kilgour and Cooper Coats into the starting lineup. Captain Lucas Rumball leads a physical forward pack, while Kilgour and Coats will aim to provide creativity behind the forwards. Canada have shown enough attacking quality to trouble the Eagles, but the USA hold the higher world ranking and will be eager to recover from their disappointing display against Japan. I am backing the USA to win a close contest but tipping Canada to cover the +7.5 handicap.
Wellington vs Northland: Home win (3.75 odds)
Tip 3: Wellington to win
Reason for the tip: Wellington enter this NPC encounter still searching for their first victory of the campaign and will be desperate to turn their fortunes around against Northland. The Lions have made several changes to their starting XV, with Geordie Bean, Penieli Poasa and Alex Hewitt among the players coming into the side. Logan Henry and Callum Harkin will provide direction, while Losi Filipo and Matt Proctor offer attacking options in midfield. Wellington possess enough quality to challenge Northland and, with home advantage, they should be motivated to finally get their season underway.
Northland arrive with a competitive squad featuring strength throughout their forwards and dangerous attacking players. Olly Ryan, Jordan Hutchings and Daniel Botha provide experience in the front row, while Grady Forbes, Zac Shanks and Terrell Peita add physicality around the breakdown. Reesjan Pasitoa will control the game from fly-half, supported by Josh Renton at scrumhalf. Corey Evans and Reuben Stewart offer creativity in midfield, while James Ramm is a threat from the back. Northland can compete strongly, but Wellington’s urgency and home advantage could prove decisive here therefore I am backing the Lions for the upset win.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Waikato vs Manuwatu: Home team(-9.5)
Reason for tip: Waikato head into this clash with significant changes to their starting XV, with nine alterations made from their previous lineup. Boyle-Tiatia comes into the front row, while Finau strengthens the loose forwards alongside Jacobson and Mathis. The backline also sees several changes, including Lewaila and Anderson in the midfield, with Sinkinson and Cook-Savage coming into the outside backs. Despite the reshuffle, Waikato retain plenty of physicality and attacking ability. Taha Kemara will provide direction at fly-half, while the combination of Lewai, Anderson and Sinkinson gives the Mooloos plenty of options with ball in hand.
Manawatu name a relatively settled side with Malakai Hala, Raymond Tuputupu and Logan Wallace forming the front row, while Rob Harley and TK Howden provide size and experience in the second row. Rory Woods, Mosese Bason and Brayden Iose give the Turbos a strong presence in the loose forwards, with Doug Philipson and George Worboys controlling the game from the halfback and fly-half positions. The backline features James Tofa, Taniela Filimone and Drew Wild, with Reece MacDonald at fullback. Manawatu have enough quality to make this a competitive encounter, but Waikato’s attacking threat will see them to victory by more than 10 points.
Vannes vs Toulouse: Away team(-17.5)1.85 odds
Reason for tip: Vannes face a tough Top 14 challenge against Toulouse, with the hosts making nine changes to their starting XV. Giorgi Beria, Santiago Medrano and Matías Alemanno come into the pack, while Michael Ruru and Maxime Lafage continue as the halfback pairing. Anthony Bouthier starts at fullback, with Enzo Benmegal moving to the wing. Vannes will look to use their home advantage and physicality to stay competitive, but the changes could make it difficult to build consistency against a high-quality Toulouse side.
Toulouse have named a powerful lineup featuring Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Dorian Aldegheri, Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou in the pack, while Romain Ntamack controls the game at fly-half. Their backline also contains plenty of attacking quality through Matthis Lebel, Teddy Thomas and Blair Kinghorn, while Antoine Dupont provides a major option from the bench. Toulouse’s combination of experience, strength and attacking depth should allow them to control the match for long periods therefore I am backing the visitors to win and cover the -17.5 handicap.
Lyon vs Pau: Home win 1.77 odds
Reason for tip: Lyon head into this Top 14 clash with Pau with a strong lineup despite making eight changes to their starting XV. Camille Chat comes into the front row, while Dylan Cretin and Sam Simmonds provide plenty of physicality in the loose forwards. Baptiste Couilloud starts at scrum-half, with Martin Méliande controlling the backline. Jiuta Wainiqolo and Iosefo Masi offer dangerous attacking options out wide, while Gabin Lorre provides quality at fullback. Lyon’s combination of power, pace and experience should allow them to build pressure throughout the match, particularly in the set-piece and breakdown.
Pau arrive with a competitive side featuring Julián Montoya, Thomas Laclayat and Thomas Jolmès in the pack, while Facundo Isa adds significant strength at number eight. Axel Despères will look to control the game at fly-half, with Émilien Gailleton, Rodrigo Marta and Théo Attissogbe providing attacking threats in the backline. However, Lyon’s home advantage and greater attacking firepower could prove decisive. The hosts have enough quality across their starting XV and replacements to withstand Pau’s challenge and finish strongly. Lyon should secure the victory thanks in the main to their partisan crowd support and Pau making several changes.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Castres Olympique vs RC Toulonnais- Home win
- Aviron Bayonnais vs Clermont- Home win
- Lyon vs Section Paloise- Home win
- Japan vs Fiji- Home win
- Canada vs USA- Home win
- Waikato vs Manuwatu-Home win
- Wellington vs Northland-Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Tasman vs Auckland- Home win❌
- Wales Women vs Springbok Women-Away win✅
- Colomiers vs US Dax-Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- Bordeaux vs Stade Francais
- North Harbour vs Canterbury
- Taranaki vs Southland
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.
