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 22 AUGUST 2026
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Springboks vs All Blacks: Home team(-6.5)1.90
Tip 1: Springboks to cover the -6.5 handicap
Reason for the tip: The Springboks face the All Blacks in a huge Test at Ellis Park, with South Africa carrying a 12-match winning streak into the contest. Rassie Erasmus has made some bold selection calls, handing Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu the No.10 jersey and selecting a 5-3 bench. The Springboks will look to dominate through their powerful pack, while Grant Williams provides pace around the ruck. Home advantage, altitude and a passionate Ellis Park crowd should give South Africa confidence, but New Zealand have enough quality to make this a difficult challenge for the hosts.
The All Blacks possess plenty of attacking threats, with Cam Roigard controlling the tempo and Ruben Love given the opportunity at fly-half. Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan and Josh Moorby form a dangerous back three, while Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax face a major battle against the Springbok forwards. New Zealand will want quick ball and space, but South Africa will aim to slow the breakdown and apply relentless physical pressure. I am tipping the Springboks to win and cover the -6.5 handicap.
North Harbour vs Bay of Plenty: Home team (-5.5) 1.80odds
Tip 2: North Harbour to win by 6 or more points
Reason for the tip: North Harbour will take on Auckland at North Harbour Stadium in a highly exciting NPC game. Both sides will field strong teams for their encounter this Saturday. Jed Melvin is named as the captain of North Harbour in this important game, whereas Bryn Hall is another player who can add great composure and control to their team. Cam Howell is the starting fly-half, while Rory Taylor and Kade Banks will be the attacking threats in their backline. Accuracy in set pieces will be key for the hosts playing against a quality Auckland team.
There are many experienced players that the Auckland team will field in their starting XV. Some of them are Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pita Ahki, and Stephen Perofeta. The Auckland team also boasts of having many attacking options sitting on their bench like Nathaniel Pole, Josh Fusitu’a and Titi Nofoagatotoa. The Auckland team suffered defeat against Hawke’s Bay with a score of 44-31 last week. It will be an exciting encounter between both sides, but the experience of Auckland might tilt the scales in their favour.I am backing North Harbour to win by more than 6 points because of their potent backline.
Bay of Plenty vs Taranaki(WIN) 3.00
Tip 3: Taranaki to win
Reason for the tip: In this week’s NPC clash, Bay of Plenty host Taranki at the Rotorua International Stadium in what promises to be an interesting game. Bay of Plenty have chosen a formidable XV that includes Seuseu Afu in the number two jersey and Joe Johnston at lock position. The Bay of Plenty pack features experience in the form of Reuben Palmer and Viveni Lasaqa while Nikora Broughton and Charlie Sinton provide some threat in the backs for Bay of Plenty. At fly-half position, Lucas Cashmore is partnered by Rory Van Vugt in the half-back combination.
The Taranaki XV is full of talent, having chosen Jared Proffit, JJ Pokai and Keightley Watson in their front row. Jesse Parite and Josefa Nanomasiua are some more power packed players who join the Waikato pack while Kaylum Boshier leads his team from the back row. At fly-half, Sam Clarke plays for Taranaki while in the centre, Haki Wiseman and Seta Tamanivalu provide some experience for Waikato. This should be an exciting clash with both sides capable of playing attacking rugby. I would like to predict a narrow victory for Taranaki in this encounter.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
St. George Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs: Home team(+6.5)1.88
Reason for tip: St George Illawarra Dragons take on Canterbury Bulldogs, and yet again we expect a very closely fought affair. St George has come through the season as one of the surprise packages, turning the form around by winning their past two matches after losing the opening 11 matches of the season. The last time Dragons defeated Cronulla at 24-16, and last week they beat Tigers 24-22. Tyrell Sloan has scored in eight straight games, while Hamish Stewart continues to show his best by working hard and providing an attacking threat.
Canterbury Bulldogs have had a tough couple of weeks and have lost the past two matches against the Roosters and Rabbitohs. The Bulldogs’ defeat last week has made them fall to ninth spot in the ladder. Bulldogs are facing a fight to make into the final eight and are going to require an improved effort in the attacking front. Canterbury have won six straight matches between the two teams, although the recent matches have been very tight with the past three won by less than eight points. Expecting two cautious outfits to score very few points again in the game, Dragons are expected to cover the +6.5 handicap.
Catalans Dragons vs Hull: Home team(-5.5)1.85 odds
Reason for tip: Catalans Dragons welcome Hull FC to the Stade Gilbert Brutus with both sides looking to produce a much-needed win. Catalans have struggled badly for consistency, losing seven of their last eight games, but they continue to show enough attacking quality to trouble opponents. The return of Mickael Goudemand, Romain Navarette and Edenn Rogers-Smith provides a timely boost to the Dragons squad. Hull FC also make changes, with experienced winger Tom Briscoe returning, while Cade Cust misses out through injury. Jason Qareqare remains unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury.
This is a difficult game to predict, with both teams capable of producing excellent performances one week and disappointing displays the next. Hull won the earlier meeting 24-20, but Catalans have home advantage and the Gilbert Brutus can still be an uncomfortable venue for struggling opposition. Hull’s recent record in France is respectable, although their confidence will have taken a hit following last week’s defeat. With little separating the sides, I expect another close encounter. I am tipping Catalans Dragons to win by six points or more.
St. Helens vs Castleford: Home team(-15.5)1.91 odds
Reason for tip:St Helens welcome Castleford Tigers to Totally Wicked Stadium knowing that victory is essential if they are to keep their Super League playoff hopes alive. The Saints looked back to their best last week, producing an impressive 46-16 victory over Wakefield Trinity after a difficult run of five defeats in six games. That result will have restored confidence, and their powerful forward pack should look to dominate the middle of the field from the opening whistle. Harry Robertson, Tristan Sailor and Jack Welsby have also been combining effectively on the right side and provide Saints with plenty of attacking threat.
Castleford arrive as an inconsistent side and face a major challenge against a St Helens team desperate to build momentum. The Tigers have also added three loan players from Leigh, but they will need to defend extremely well to contain the Saints’ attacking weapons. This could be a tight contest early on, but St Helens should gradually gain control through their superior pack and attacking quality. With the playoff race becoming increasingly competitive, expect the hosts to play with plenty of urgency. I am tipping St Helens to win and cover the -15.5 handicap.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Tasman vs Southland- Home win
- North Harbour vs Auckland- Home win
- Bay of Plenty vs Taranaki-Away win
- Springboks vs All Blacks- Home win
- New Zealand(W) vs Australia(W)- Home win
- Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield- Home win
- St. Helens vs Castleford- Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Bulls vs Stormers XVlll- Home win❌
- Sharks vs Lions- Away win❌
- Pumas vs Griquas- Home win❌
Rugby tomorrow
- Tasman vs Southland
- North Harbour vs Auckland
- Bay of Plenty vs Taranaki
- Springboks vs All Blacks
- New Zealand(W) vs Australia(W)
- Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield
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.
