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 07 March 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

Blues vs Crusaders 

Tip 1: Blues to win 

Reason for the tip: The Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Blues and the Crusaders at Eden Park is set to be one of the standout fixtures of the round with two traditional New Zealand powerhouses facing off in what should be a high-intensity encounter. The home side boast a powerful lineup led by captain Dalton Papali’i, who will look to dominate the breakdown alongside dynamic No.8 Hoskins Sotutu. In the backline, the explosive wing pairing of Caleb Clarke and Codemeru Vai gives the hosts plenty of finishing ability while fly-half Stephen Perofeta will be responsible for controlling the tempo and creating opportunities. The bench also carries significant firepower with Beauden Barrett ready to make an impact in the second half.

The Crusaders, however, are renowned for their structure and composure in big matches. Captain David Havili marshals an experienced backline that includes the powerful centre Leicester Fainga’anuku and prolific winger Sevu Reece. Up front, the presence of veteran hooker Codie Taylor and dynamic flanker Ethan Blackadder should ensure the visitors remain competitive at the set piece and breakdown.  The visitors will be without the services of their star fullback, Will Jordan who is on his All Blacks rest week. It will be interesting to see how the backline changes affect the Crusaders. The Blues look more settled and on their home patch, I am backing them for the win. 

Brumbies vs Reds

Tip 2: Brumbies to win 

Reason for the tip:.The Super Rugby Pacific clash between the ACT Brumbies and the Queensland Reds promises to be a high-tempo Australian derby with both sides packed with attacking talent. The unbeaten home side will look to their experienced core to control the contest. Veteran prop James Slipper anchors the front row alongside hooker Billy Pollard while captain Ryan Lonergan will aim to dictate the tempo from scrum-half. In the pack, the powerful Charlie Cale at No.8 and the industrious Rory Scott give the Brumbies a strong breakdown presence. Out wide, Andy Muirhead provides finishing ability and attacking spark.

The Reds arrive with plenty of firepower of their own. Captain Fraser McReight leads a dynamic back row that thrives at the breakdown, while the powerful Harry Wilson offers ball-carrying impact. In the backs, playmaker Carter Gordon will look to unleash dangerous runners like Filipo Daugunu and fullback Jock Campbell in space. Set piece efficiency could prove decisive as the Brumbies traditionally boast one of the competition’s best lineouts and mauls while the Reds will rely on speed and breakdown pressure to disrupt their rhythm. With both sides eager to establish dominance early in the season, this matchup should deliver physicality and attacking rugby. I am backing the home side to come away with a hard fought victory. 

Highlanders vs Force 

Tip 3: Highlanders to win

Reason for the tip:The Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Highlanders and the Western Force promises to be a competitive battle, with both sides featuring exciting attacking talent and physical forward packs. The Highlanders will rely heavily on the control of scrum-half Folau Fakatava and fly-half Cameron Millar to guide their attack. In the backline, the powerful midfield partnership led by co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai and centre Jonah Lowe provides strong ball-carrying ability while the dangerous finishing of winger Jona Nareki could prove decisive out wide. Up front, co-captain Ethan de Groot anchors the scrum and will look to set the tone physically for the hosts.

The Western Force arrive with a lineup that mixes youth and international experience. Fly-half Ben Donaldson will play a key role in managing territory and creating attacking opportunities, while former All Blacks winger George Bridge provides a major threat on the outside. In the pack, captain Jeremy Williams and flanker Carlo Tizzano will aim to slow Highlanders ball and dominate the breakdown. The home side have proven tough to beat under the roof with their silky backline moves. Home advantage and the Highlanders’ forward strength will ultimately see them to victory. 

Italy vs England 

Tip 4: Italy to win 

Reason for the tip: Italy host England in a fascinating Six Nations Championship encounter as the improving home team look to challenge a powerful England national rugby union team side. This will be the best chance of the Azzuri getting their first win over the English. Italy’s backline has exciting attacking potential after a long time.Playmaker Paolo Garbisi will direct the game at fly-half, combining with his brother Alessandro Garbisi at scrum-half to control territory and tempo. In midfield, the dynamic pairing of Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex provides physicality and creativity, while the dangerous wings Monty Ioane and Louis Lynagh offer genuine finishing threat. Captain Michele Lamaro leads a hardworking pack that will aim to disrupt England at the breakdown.

England have made nine changes from the team that lost to Ireland which could be a masterstroke or a massive mistake. Skipper Maro Itoje anchors the second row alongside Alex Coles, while the back row trio of Ben Earl, Tom Curry, and Guy Pepper should bring relentless physicality at the breakdown. In the backs, fly-half Fin Smith controls the attack with strike runners like Cadan Murley and Tommy Freeman providing pace out wide. Italy’s attacking intent will trouble the visitors therefore I am going for an upset win for the hosts. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Scotland vs France: Away team (-7.5)

Reason for tip: Scotland face a huge challenge against a powerful France national rugby union team in what should be one of the most entertaining matches of the Six Nations Championship. With both teams boasting attacking backlines and physical forward packs, the clash promises high intensity from the opening whistle. The home team will rely heavily on the creativity of fly-half Finn Russell whose ability to unlock defenses could be key. Captain Sione Tuipulotu partners the in-form Huw Jones in midfield, a combination capable of causing problems for any defense. Out wide, the pace of Darcy Graham and Kyle Steyn offers Scotland genuine finishing power while Blair Kinghorn provides a dangerous counterattacking threat from fullback. In the pack, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey will be crucial at the breakdown.

France led by the mercurial captain Antoine Dupont who will orchestrate play from scrum-half, combining with fly-half Matthieu Jalibert to drive the attack. Their halfback combination is arguably the best in Europe and will go a long way to deciding the match. The explosive Louis Bielle-Biarrey and the reliable Thomas Ramos add cutting edge in the back three while forwards like Charles Ollivon and Anthony Jelonch bring power and experience. If Scotland can control possession and limit France’s attacking opportunities, they can stay competitive but France’s depth and physicality could prove decisive. I am backing the visitors to win and cover the -7.5 handicap. 

Suntory Sungoliath vs Dynaboars: Home team (-20.5)

Tokyo Sungoliath will look to continue their strong form when they face the Shizuoka Dynaboars in what promises to be an entertaining clash in the Japan Rugby League One. The home side boast plenty of experience and attacking quality in their lineup, with the world-class finishing ability of Cheslin Kolbe at fullback providing a constant threat out wide. The backline also features dangerous runners such as Sam Cane in the loose forwards and centre Punivai while fly-half Mikiya Takamoto will be key in controlling territory and guiding the attack. Up front, the Sungoliath pack led by Kobayashi and Horikoshi will aim to dominate the set piece and provide quality ball for their dynamic backs. Their ability to maintain a high tempo has often overwhelmed opponents in this competition.

The Dynaboars, however, have a number of powerful ball carriers who could challenge the Sungoliath defence. The presence of former All Black scrum-half Brad Weber adds pace around the breakdown while centre Lukhanyo Am brings defensive organisation and attacking creativity. If their forward pack, led by Mikaele Tu’u and Jesse Parete, can generate momentum, Dynaboars could make this a competitive encounter. Despite Dynaboars’ physicality, Sun goliath’s superior attacking depth and game-breaking backs should give them the edge. I am backing them to win and cover the -20.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Highlanders vs Force- Home win
• Blues vs Crusaders- Home win
• Brumbies vs Reds- Home win
• Scotland vs France-Away win
• Italy vs England- Home win
• Suntory Sungoliath vs Dynoboars- Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Chiefs vs Moana Pasifika- Home win✅
• Waratahs vs Hurricanes- Away win✅
• Ireland vs Wales- Home win✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Exeter Chiefs vs Saints
• Leicester Tigers vs Bath
• Australia vs France

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.