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 THURSDAY 01 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

Dragons vs Scarlets 

Tip 1: Dragons to win 

Reason for the tip: The Dragons host the Scarlets in a crucial Welsh derby that promises intensity and physicality that comes when local rivals meet. The home side welcomes back several key figures, with Aaron Wainwright anchoring the back row and co-captain Ben Carter leading the pack. Tinus de Beer’s control at fly-half will be vital, particularly in managing territory and bringing dangerous outside backs like Rio Dyer and Fine Inisi into play. At home, the Dragons will look to build pressure through set-piece stability and breakdown competitiveness.

The Scarlets arrive with plenty of experience and cohesion especially in the spine of the team. Gareth Davies and Joe Hawkins offer control and tempo while Josh Macleod’s leadership in the back row provides physical edge and breakdown nous. The Scarlets backline, featuring Joe Roberts and Tom Rogers, carries genuine strike power. Their ability to exploit broken play could prove decisive. Their bench also looks slightly stronger with Ryan Elias and Sam Lousi adding impact late on. The match will be decided in the last final quarter with the Dragons edging the victory. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Ospreys vs Cardiff: Home team (-3.5)

Reason for tip: The Ospreys welcome Cardiff Rugby in what should be a fiercely contested Welsh derby with both sides naming strong matchday squads. The Ospreys boast continuity and balance, led by co-captains Jack Walsh and Sam Parry. Dan Edwards and Kieran Hardy form an experienced half-back pairing, while the back row of Morgan Morris, Harri Deaves and James Ratti offers physicality and breakdown presence. Out wide, Keelan Giles remains a genuine strike threat if given space while Owen Watkin’s defensive leadership in midfield will be crucial.

Cardiff have plenty of firepower and experience of their own with Callum Sheedy’s game management and goal-kicking will be central to their chances while Josh Adams and Mason Grady provide finishing ability out wide. The inclusion of Taulupe Faletau and Aled Davies on the bench adds significant impact potential, particularly in the final quarter. Cardiff’s pack, led by captain Liam Belcher, will look to disrupt Ospreys’ rhythm through physical collisions and strong set-piece work. The home side have finally started to gel and I am backing them for the win and to cover the -3.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Dragons vs Scarlets- Home win
• Ospreys vs Cardiff- Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Exeter Chiefs vs Leicester Tigers- Home win✅
• Toulouse vs La Rochelle- Home win✅
• Toulon vs Perpignan- Home win✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Ulster vs Munster
• Bristol vs Sale Sharks
• Newcastle Red Bulls vs Gloucester

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.