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 01 AUGUST 2026
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Latest Betway Rugby odds
No Rugby odds available.1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today
Griquas(WIN) 2.00 odds vs Cheetahs
Tip 1: Griquas to win
Reason for the tip: Sparks always fly when neighbours, the Cheetahs and Griquas renew their fierce rivalry in a Round 3 Currie Cup derby, with both teams eager to strengthen their early-season credentials. The Cheetahs have made the perfect start to their campaign, winning their opening two matches to be the competition’s early pace-setters. Griquas, meanwhile, bounced back after an opening-round defeat and head into the clash with one win and one loss from their first two fixtures.
The visitors will once again rely on the experience of Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who partners Jaco van der Walt in the halfback position. Captain Neels Volschenk leads the forward pack, while Clayton Blommetjies provides a calm presence at fullback.
Griquas, captained by Albert Liebenberg, have named a settled side featuring George Whitehead at flyhalf and dangerous outside backs Cameron Hufke, Dylan Maart and Gurswin Wehr. Bobby Alexander will look to provide quick service from scrumhalf as the hosts aim to dictate the tempo. Home ground advantage will prove decisive in this match therefore I am backing Griquas to come away with the win.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Lions vs Bulls : Home team(-16.5)1.95 odds
Reason for tip:
The Jukskei derby always delivers plenty of physicality and this Round 3 Currie Cup clash is sure to be the same as the Lions host a wounded and winless Bulls side. The home side have made an impressive start to their campaign with back-to-back victories and will be full of confidence after producing two disciplined performances.
The Bulls, on the other hand, have suffered consecutive defeats and know another loss would leave them with a mountain to climb in the race for the semi-finals.The home side have made a few changes with captain Ruan Delport leading an industrious forward pack alongside Jarod Cairns and Morne Venter. The experienced midfield pairing of Rynhardt Jonker and Likhona Finca will look to create space for the dangerous Rabz Maxwane, while flyhalf Sam Francis continues to control the game with his tactical kicking and distribution.
The Bulls have made several changes and are led by captain Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, with Sintu Manjezi and Thomas Beling providing plenty of physicality. Devon Williams and Keagan Johannes will be expected to spark the visitors’ attack, but they will need a significant improvement after struggling for consistency in their opening two fixtures. The Lions have looked red hot therefore I am backing them to come away with the win and cover the -16.5 handicap.
Canterbury vs Auckland: Home team(-15.5)1.91 odds
Reason for tip: Old rivals Canterbury and Auckland renew one of New Zealand rugby’s greatest provincial rivalries when they meet in the opening round of the 2026 NPC. These sides have produced countless classic encounters over the years, and both will be eager to lay down an early marker. The home side will look to captain Finlay Brewis to lead from the front, while Jamie Hannah and Brodie McAlister provide experience and physicality in the pack. The exciting halfback pairing of Louie Chapman and Andrew Knewstub will control proceedings, with Dallas McLeod offering plenty of attacking threat in midfield. The biggest talking point, however, is the return of All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, who has come back to New Zealand rugby following his stint overseas. Although he has been named on the bench, his introduction in the second half is likely to lift the home crowd and could prove decisive if the match is still in the balance.
Auckland have named a talented side led by Josh Fusitu’a, with Stephen Perofeta directing the attack from flyhalf. Rico Simpson and Xavier Tito-Harris provide genuine finishing ability out wide, while their powerful forward pack will look to dominate the collisions. With home advantage and the added boost of Mo’unga’s long-awaited return, I am backing Canterbury to win and cover the -15.5 handicap.
Southland vs Otago: Away team(-11.5)1.91 odds
Reason for tip: Southland and Otago renew one of New Zealand rugby’s oldest provincial rivalries when they meet at Invercargill Rugby Park in the opening round of the NPC. Southland have named an experienced side led by Jack Sexton, with Jack Taylor and Ale Aho providing plenty of power in the front row. Sean Withy and Sam Fischli will be expected to make an impact at the breakdown, while Jimmy Taylor and Nic Shearer form an exciting halfback combination. Out wide, Scott Gregory and Hayata Taniyama possess the pace to trouble the Otago defence.
The visitors arrive with a well-balanced squad featuring Ben Lopas, Henry Bell and Christian Lio-Willie in a physical forward pack capable of matching Southland up front. Kieran McClea and Cameron Millar will look to control territory, while Josh Timu, Jae Broomfield and Sam Nemec-Vial provide plenty of attacking firepower in the backline. There is too much class in the Otago ranks therefore I am backing them to win and cover the -11.5 handicap.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Stormers vs Sharks- Away win
- Lions vs Bulls- Home win
- Southland vs Otago- Away win
- Canterbury vs Auckland- Home win
- Counties Manukau vs Taranaki- Home win
- Castleford vs Warrington- Away win
- Catalan Dragons vs Wakefield – Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Tasman vs North Harbour- Home win✅
- Griquas vs Cheetahs- Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- Boland vs Pumas
- Northlands vs Manuwatu
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.
