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 FRIDAY 20 March 2026
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Bulls vs Cardiff
Tip 1: Bulls to win
Reason for the tip: The Bulls face a tough test against Cardiff Rugby in this round of the United Rugby Championship. The Bulls come into the clash with a powerful lineup, led by captain Marcell Coetzee in the back row and Handré Pollard directing play at flyhalf. Their backline, featuring Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and David Kriel, offers explosive attacking options while the forwards aim to dominate set pieces and breakdowns. Bench options like Willie le Roux and Marco van Staden provide impact and experience off the bench.
Cardiff arrive with a competitive squad, led by skipper Liam Belcher and playmaker Callum Sheedy. Their pack, anchored by George Nott and Taine Basham, will need to match the Bulls’ physicality. The visitors also have strong impact options in Taulupe Faletau and Ioan Lloyd. They will need to be brave and run at the Bulls team who have shown some weakness in defence. If the match becomes a set piece dominated affair the Bulls will be firm favourites as they have the power in the front row and lineouts. With home advantage and a more dynamic attack, the Bulls are favourites to essily see off the Welsh side.
Ulster vs Connacht
Tip 2: Ulster to win
Reason for the tip: The upcoming United Rugby Championship clash between Ulster Rugby and Connacht Rugby promises to be an intense Irish derby showdown. Ulster field a strong lineup with captain Iain Henderson leading the forwards, supported by the power of Joe Hopes and David McCann. Their backline, orchestrated by flyhalf Jack Murphy and featuring dangerous runners like Jacob Stockdale and Michael Lowry is capable of breaking defences and exploiting space. The power of their forward runners like Juarno Augustus and David McCannwill be a handful for the visitors defence. Bench players such as Tom O’Toole and Rob Herring provide added firepower and experience.
Connacht, meanwhile, will rely on captain Cian Prendergast to marshal their forwards and maintain physical dominance. Key players like Bundee Aki and Jack Carty will be crucial in guiding the attack, while the bench, including Josh Ioane and Niall Murray offer impact options in the latter stages. The key man for the visitors will be their wrecking ball number eight Sean Jansen who has been tearing up defences. This interprovincial clash is expected to be fast-paced and physical, with Ulster’s home advantage potentially giving them the edge in a tight contest. A closely fought encounter could see Ulster just edging Connacht by a small margin.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Brumbies vs Chiefs: Home team (+4.5)
Reason for tip: The upcoming Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Brumbies and the Chiefs promises an explosive encounter between two powerhouse squads. The Brumbies will field a strong starting XV, led by captain Ryan Lonergan at scrumhalf, with the dynamic Rob Valetini and Charlie Cale driving the back row. Flyhalf Billy Pollard will orchestrate play while the back three of Corey Toole, Hudson Creighton, and Andy Muirhead provide pace and finishing ability. Replacements including Tane Edmed and Liam Bowron offer impact options off the bench.
The Chiefs bring an experienced lineup led by Luke Jacobson in the back row, while flyhalf Damian McKenzie directs the attack. The Chiefs’ backline, including Etene Nanai-Seturo and Quinn Tupara, poses a serious threat in open play. Bench players like Lalakai Foketi and Josh Jacomb provide finishing power late in the game. The match is likely to be decided by the forwards and both teams are equally matched in this department which could see this match go down to the wire. I am predicting the winner to win by a one score margin therefore I am backing the Brumbies to cover the +4.5 handicap.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Highlanders vs Hurricanes- Away win
- Kobe Steelers vs Canon Eagles- Home win
- Brumbies vs Chiefs- Home win
- Bulls vs Cardiff- Home win
- Scarlets vs Zebre- Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Blues vs Moana Pasifika- Home win✅
- Suntory Sungoliath vs Brave Lupus- Home win✅
- Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs- Away win❌
Rugby tomorrow
- Lions vs Edinburgh
- Sharks vs Munster
- Drua vs Reds
- Moana Pasifika vs Crusaders
- Waratahs vs Blues
- Exeter Chiefs vs Sale Sharks
- Clermont vs Montpellier
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.
