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 18 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
| Date and Time | Event Name | Winner Odds | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-01-2026 15:15 | Northampton Saints v Scarlets | 12.0050.001.01 | Bet Now |
| 18-01-2026 15:15 | Stade Rochelais v Harlequins FC | 6.4035.001.09 | Bet Now |
| 18-01-2026 17:30 | Glasgow Warriors v Saracens FC | 1.4126.003.35 | Bet Now |
| 18-01-2026 17:30 | Racing 92 v Cheetahs | 5.6035.001.12 | Bet Now |
| 05-02-2026 20:10 | France v Ireland | 4.001.3225.00 | Bet Now |
| 07-02-2026 14:10 | Italy v Scotland | 4.6027.001.26 | Bet Now |
| 07-02-2026 16:40 | England v Wales | 1.0170.0023.00 | Bet Now |
1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today
Bristol vs Bordeaux Begles
Tip 1: Bordeaux to win
Reason for the tip: Bristol Bears and Union Bordeaux Bègles meet in a mouth-watering Champions Cup clash that promises high tempo, power and attacking flair from the two most entertaining sides in Europe. The home side will look to play their trademark expansive game with Harry Randall’s speed at scrum-half and Tom Jordan’s control at fly-half setting the rhythm. Out wide, Louis Rees-Zammit adds explosive pace from fullback, while Kalaveti Ravouvou and Noah Heward offer strong carrying options. Up front, Ellis Genge and captain Fitz Harding will be central to Bristol’s hopes of winning the gainline and disrupting Bordeaux at the breakdown.
Champions Bordeaux have a stacked lineup with proven European quality and dangerous strike runners. The back three of Romain Buros, Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey is among the most lethal in the competition. Matthieu Jalibert pulls the strings at fly-half, combining creativity with a sharp kicking game, while Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere provide power through midfield. The French side’s pack, led by skipper Maxime Lamothe, is physical and experienced with Cameron Woki and Jean-Luc du Preez key in the loose with the former fresh from a hattrick in the last match.
Both sides have excellent backlines but it is the forward pack of Bordeaux that makes me predict an away win.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
La Rochelle vs Harlequins: Away team (+13.5)
Reason for tip: Bordeaux-Bègles welcome Northampton Saints to Stade Chaban-Delmas for a mouth-watering Champions Cup clash featuring the finalists of last season where the French team came out with the title. This fixture has the potential to be one of the standout games of the round as these are two of the most attacking teams in the competition. Bordeaux boast immense firepower, led by Matthieu Jalibert at flyhalf and a devastating back three of Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Salesi Rayasi. Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere provide power and control in midfield, while Cameron Woki’s athleticism and Jean-Luc du Preez’s physicality give balance to the pack.
Northampton arrive full of confidence and have a clear identity built around tempo and accuracy. Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell form one of the most effective halfback pairings in England while Tommy Freeman’s presence in midfield adds physicality and line-breaking ability. Callum Chick leads a hard-working pack that includes the dynamic Henry Pollock and the powerful JJ van der Mescht but handling Bordeaux’s pace in wide channels will be a major challenge. The contest is likely to hinge on defensive organisation and discipline, as both sides can punish mistakes quickly. Bordeaux’s home advantage and superior attacking depth will see them to victory but I am backing the Saints to cover the +13.5 handicap.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Bristol vs Bordeaux-Away win
- Northampton Saints vs Scarlets-Home win
- Racing 92 vs Cheetahs-Home win
- La Rochelle vs Harlequins-Home win
- Glasgow vs Saracens-Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Sharks vs Clermont-Home win✅
- Bayonne vs Leinster- Away win✅
- Stormers vs Leicester Tigers-Home win✅
- Munster vs Castres-Home win❌
- Toulouse vs Sale Sharks-Home win✅
- Gloucester vs Toulon-Home win❌
- Perpignan vs Lions-Away win❌
Rugby tomorrow
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.
