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 for SATURDAY 17 May 2026
We are committed to finding the best odds for you with the leading rugby betting sites in South Africa
Latest Betway Rugby odds
No Rugby odds available.1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today
Sale Sharks(W) 3.00 odds vs Leicester Tigers
Tip 1: Sale to win
Reason for the tip: In the last match of the PREM weekend, Sale Sharks host Leicester Tigers in a clash where the visitors still have plenty to play for. Sale can no longer qualify for the playoffs but they will be determined to finish their campaign strongly and deny Leicester valuable points in the race for a home semi-final. Despite missing out on the top four, Sale have named a strong lineup featuring England internationals George Ford, Raffi Quirke and Tom Curry. Ford’s tactical kicking game and Quirke’s attacking speed around the breakdown should keep Leicester under pressure, while captain Ernst van Rhyn leads a physical pack eager to dominate the collisions. Out wide, Tom Roebuck and Tom O’Flaherty offer dangerous finishing ability.
Leicester know that victory could prove crucial in securing a top-two finish and home advantage in the semi-finals. Freddie Steward provides security at the back while Adam Radwan and Ollie Hassell-Collins add pace and attacking threat on the wings. The Tigers pack, captained by Ollie Chessum, also looks formidable with Tommy Reffell and Hanro Liebenberg bringing intensity in the loose forwards. I am backing the home side to come away with the upset win.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
La Rochelle vs Toulouse (Home)+2.5 1.90 odds
Reason for the tip: The Top 14 another blockbuster encounter as La Rochelle host league leaders Toulouse in a clash between two of France’s biggest rugby powers. With the playoffs approaching rapidly, both sides will be eager to build momentum and make a statement in what promises to be a physical and high-quality contest. La Rochelle have made several changes to their starting lineup but still boast enormous experience and power throughout the squad. Grégory Alldritt captains the side from number eight, while Tawera Kerr-Barlow replacement Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Hastoy form an exciting halfback pairing capable of controlling territory and tempo. In the backs, Levani Botia replacement Judicaël Haddad and Dillyn Leyds add creativity and attacking spark while Georgian fullback Davit Niniashvili remains a constant threat in broken play.
Toulouse arrive with a star-studded squad despite rotating several key players. Thomas Ramos directs matters at flyhalf alongside scrumhalf Paul Graou while Blair Kinghorn and Matthis Lebel provide plenty of attacking danger out wide. Up front, Emmanuel Meafou, François Cros and Jack Willis bring physicality and breakdown intensity, with international stars such as Julien Marchand, Thibaud Flament and Romain Ntamack waiting on the bench. I am backing la Rochelle to cover the +2.5 handicap.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- La Rochelle vs Toulon- Home win
- Sale Sharks vs Leicester Tigers- Home win
- France(W) vs England(W)- Away win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Sharks vs Zebre- Home win✅
- Bulls vs Benetton- Home win✅
- Leinster vs Ospreys- Home win✅
- Munster vs Lions- Home win✅
- Scarlets vs Dragons- Away win❌
- Fijian Drua vs Waratahs- Home win❌
- Griquas vs Boland- Home win✅
- Force vs Reds- Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- No matches
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.
