Rugby Predictions Today

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. All the major international tournaments such as the Rugby Championships and the Six Nations will also be covered with our team providing rugby betting tips. You can be assured all the big rugby this weekend will be previewed on this page.

Rugby Predictions for SATURDAY 09 January 2026

We are committed to finding the best odds for you with the leading rugby betting sites in South Africa 

Latest Betway Rugby odds 

1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today

Bulls vs Bristol  

Tip 1: Bulls to win 

Reason for the tip:The Bulls welcome Bristol Bears to Loftus Versfeld for this Investec Champions Cup clash with altitude, physicality and contrasting styles set to play a major role. Playing at home in Pretoria always gives the Bulls a significant edge and they have selected a powerful, experienced side built to dominate up front and control territory. Handré Pollard’s at flyhalf as always adds calm decision-making and world-class goal-kicking, while Willie le Roux’s vision from fullback will be key in unlocking space out wide.

Captain Ruan Nortje partners Cobus Wiese in a strong second row, supported by an abrasive loose trio of Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden and Jeandre Rudolph. The Bulls will look to impose themselves physically and squeeze Bristol through set-piece pressure and structured attack. Bristol are the entertainers in Europe with plenty of threat, especially through the power of Bill Mata at No.8 and the pace of Kalaveti Ravouvou out wide. Fitz Harding’s work rate will be crucial at the breakdown, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg provides punch in midfield. However, adapting to altitude and defending for long periods could prove challenging. The scrum dominance of the home side will eventually see them to victory. 

Lions vs Lyon 

Tip 2: Lions to win

Reason for the tip:.The Lions welcome Lyon to Johannesburg for a crucial European Challenge Cup clash, with tempo and physicality set to shape the contest. Playing at home gives the Lions a valuable advantage and they will look to use their speed and attacking ambition to stretch a powerful French side. Quan Horn’s counter-attacking ability from fullback and Angelo Davids’ pace on the wing provide real strike power out wide, while Chris Smith’s control at flyhalf will be key in managing territory and keeping the scoreboard moving. Captain Francke Horn anchors a hard-working back row that includes the energetic Siba Qoma and Renzo du Plessis in the absence of the suspended Ruan Venter.

Lyon bring with a strong, experienced pack and a clear kicking-and-pressure game. Paddy Jackson brings composure and accuracy at flyhalf, while Arno Botha and Beka Saginadze give Lyon real go-forward in the loose. In midfield, Josiah Maraku offers creativity and power, and Lyon will back themselves to control the contact area and squeeze the hosts. The key battle will be pace versus power. If the Lions can play at high speed and avoid being drawn into a slow, physical arm-wrestle, they will come away with the win. 

Clermont vs Glasgow Warriors

Tip 3: Clermont to win

Reason for the tip: Clermont host Glasgow Warriors at Stade Marcel-Michelin in what promises to be a fascinating Champions Cup encounter between French power and Scottish tempo. The Michelin atmosphere is always intense and Clermont will look to use home advantage and physical dominance to lay down an early marker in Europe. All Blacks Harry Plummer will be steering the ship at flyhalf and George Moala adding experience and power in midfield as the hosts look set up for a confrontational game. The back row of Killian Tixeront, Pita-Gus Sowakula and Selevasio Tolofua offers a strong mix of breakdown aggression and ball-carrying, while Rob Simmons’ leadership in the engine room will be vital in controlling the set piece. Wingers Bautista Delguy and Yerim Fall give Clermont finishing ability if they can generate front-foot ball.

Glasgow arrive with confidence, having won their last three matches and will be boosted by the return of Huw Jones. The centre partnership of Sione Tuipulotu and Jones is one of the most dangerous in the competition while George Horne’s tempo at scrumhalf can stretch Clermont’s defensive structures. Jack Dempsey and Matt Fagerson will be key in matching Clermont physically and keeping the Warriors competitive at the breakdown. The visitors’ attack will cause problems but Clermont’s power and home crowd will see them over the line. 

Leinster vs La Rochelle 

Tip 4: Leinster to win

Reason for the tip: Leinster host La Rochelle in another heavyweight Champions Cup showdown, a fixture that has become one of the competitions modern rivalries. With recent knockout battles still fresh in the memory, this clash promises intensity and loads of physical contact. Leinster have named a powerful, skilful lineup led by Caelan Doris, with Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan completing a formidable back row. Jamison Gibson-Park’s tempo and accuracy at scrum-half will be vital in keeping Leinster’s attack sharp while Sam Prendergast is trusted to manage the game against one of Europe’s most aggressive packs.

The centre pairing of Rieko Ioane and Robbie Henshaw brings a blend of pace, power and defensive steel, supported by Dan Sheehan’s threat at the breakdown and lineout. La Rochelle have all their big guns available with their trademark muscle and experience. Will Skelton and Uini Atonio anchor a massive tight five, while Grégory Alldritt and Levani Botia give them dominance at the contact point. With Nolann Le Garrec providing speed and Ihaia West controlling territory, La Rochelle will look to slow the game down and turn it into a physical arm-wrestle. The contest will hinge on whether Leinster can maintain tempo and accuracy under pressure which I feel they can to walk away with the win  

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Sale Sharks vs Hollywoodbets Sharks: Away team (+20.5)

Reason for tip: Sale Sharks host the Hollywoodbets Sharks in a compelling Champions Cup clash that pits the PREM structure against South African physicality. With contrasting styles and several Springbok influences on display, this match promises to be a bruising and tactical contest. Sale are built around control and intensity therefore George Ford’s game management at flyhalf will be central as he uses his kicking accuracy to dictate territory and keep the visitors under pressure. The back row of Tom Curry, Sam Dugdale and Jacques Vermeulen offers huge work rate and breakdown pressure, while captain Ernst van Rhyn leads a hard-nosed. Out wide, Tom O’Flaherty provides pace and finishing ability if Sale can generate front-foot possession.

The Sharks, despite resting a number of their Springboks, still possess plenty of power and ambition. Siya Masuku finally returns from injury at flyhalf and is supported by strong carriers like Nick Hatton, Emmanuel Tshituka and Tinotenda Mavesere. Vincent Koch’s presence at tighthead brings experience and scrum stability while Francois Venter adds defensive steel in midfield. The key challenge for the Sharks will be handling Sale’s kicking game and adapting quickly to icy cold hemisphere conditions. I am going for a home win but will be backing the Sharks to cover the +20.5 handicap. 

Scarlets vs Pau: Home team (-9.5)

Reason for tip: Scarlets welcome Pau to Parc y Scarlets for a Champions Cup clash that sees two teams with contrasting domestic form. The home side are near the bottom of the URC table while the visitors are the shock leaders in the TOP 14 as a result they have rested many of their big name players. Scarlets are built around mobility for breakdown pressure with the likes of Captain Josh Macleod who leads by example in a back row that includes Fletcher Anderson and Taine Plumtree. Joe Hawkins at flyhalf is central to Scarlets’ plans as he will control territory and bring the outside backs into play. With Blair Murray dangerous on the counter and wingers Ellis Mee and Tom Rogers providing pace, the hosts will look to move Pau around and exploit space out wide.

The visitors have selected a youthful, athletic team that enjoys playing expansive rugby. Thibault Daubagna’s leadership at scrum-half will be key in setting the tempo, while Carwyn Tuipulotu offers real power at No.8. Theo Attissogbe is a major threat from fullback, capable of punishing loose kicks and broken play, and Pau will look to play with confidence if they gain front-foot ball.The contest is likely to be decided at the breakdown and in discipline, where small margins can swing momentum. Scarlets’ home crowd and work rate should make the difference therefore I predict them to cover the -9.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Bulls vs Bristol- Home win
• Sale Sharks vs Hollywoodbets Sharks- Home win
• Leinster vs La Rochelle- Home win
• Clermont vs Glasgow Warriors- Home win
• Lions vs Lyon- Home win
• Scarlets vs Pau- Home win
• Leicester Tigers vs Bayonne- Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Castres vs Bath- Away win✅
• Edinburgh vs Gloucester- Home win✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Harlequins vs Stormers
• Toulon vs Munster
• Saracens vs Toulouse
• Bordeaux vs Saints

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.