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 21 February 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

Highlanders vs Chiefs 

Tip 1: Highlanders to win 

Reason for the tip: The Highlanders host the Chiefs in what promises to be a fiercely contested New Zealand derby in Super Rugby Pacific. The home side will be led by Timoci Tavatavanawai from inside centre while the experienced Ethan de Groot anchors the scrum. Folau Fakatava’s return at scrumhalf provides spark and direction, and Cameron Millar will look to control territory with his kicking game. Out wide, Caleb Tangitau and Jona Nareki offer finishing ability if the Highlanders can create space.

The Chiefs, captained by Luke Jacobson at number eight, arrive with a powerful and well-balanced squad. Their forward pack, featuring Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord, has the physical edge and lineout strength to challenge the Highlanders up front. In the backs, Quinn Tupaea’s direct running and the pace of Etene Nanai-Seturo and Leroy Carter make them dangerous on turnover ball. Josh Jacomb will aim to guide the attack and keep the scoreboard ticking. The breakdown battle between Jacobson, Brown and Withy could prove decisive, while discipline will be crucial in such a tight derby. If the Highlanders can show the same grit and determination as the first round when they beat the defending champions, Crusaders then I fancy an upset win for the home side. 

Force vs Blues

Tip 2: Blues to win 

Reason for the tip:.The Western Force face a massive challenge as they take on the Blues in what should be an intense Super Rugby Pacific clash. Jeremy Williams captains the Force from the blindside flank, with a forward pack that includes experienced campaigners like Darcy Swain, Tom Robertson and Brandon Paenga-Amosa. Carlo Tizzano will be key at the breakdown, while Ben Donaldson’s game management at flyhalf could prove crucial in keeping the Force competitive. Out wide, George Bridge and Mac Grealy offer attacking threat, and the inclusion of Kurtley Beale on the bench provides valuable experience and impact later in the match.

The Blues, led by Dalton Papali’i, boast a powerful and well-balanced side. Hoskins Sotutu’s presence at number eight adds dynamism to the back row, while Finlay Christie and Stephen Perofeta will look to control tempo and territory. The backline carries serious firepower, with Caleb Clarke’s physicality and pace posing a constant threat. The contest up front will be decisive, especially at scrum time and the breakdown. If the Force can disrupt the Blues’ rhythm and convert their chances, they can stay in the fight. The depth of the visitors bench will ultimately see them to victory. 

Lions vs Sharks 

Tip 3: Lions to win

Reason for the tip:The Lions host the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday in what promises to be a thrilling South African derby. Playing at altitude in Johannesburg, the Lions will look to use home advantage and tempo to put the Sharks under pressure early. Captain Francke Horn leads a hardworking pack that includes Ruan Venter and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, while Morné van den Berg and Chris Smith will aim to control the game with quick service and tactical kicking. Out wide, Quan Horn and Angelo Davids provide pace and finishing ability if space opens up.

The Sharks arrive with a strong and experienced lineup, captained by Vincent Tshituka in the back row. Jaden Hendrikse and Siya Masuku form an exciting halfback pairing, while Aphelele Fassi’s attacking threat from fullback could be crucial on counterattack. The Sharks bench also offers real impact, with Springbok prop Vincent Koch adding power in the scrums. The breakdown battle and set-piece contest will likely decide this clash. If the Lions can maintain intensity and use the altitude to their advantage, they will be confident.  The strength of the home sides bench will see them to victory. 

England vs Ireland 

Tip 4: England to win 

Reason for the tip: England take on Ireland in what promises to be a high-quality and physical Six Nations match between two of the northern hemisphere’s strongest sides. Maro Itoje captains England on his milestone 100^th test from the second row, with Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie providing power up front. The back row combination of Ben Earl, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock offers mobility and breakdown intensity, which will be crucial against Ireland’s well-drilled attack. At halfback, Alex Mitchell and George Ford will look to control territory and tempo, while the back three of Freddie Steward, Tommy Freeman and Henry Arundell provides a mix of aerial strength and pace.

Ireland, led by Caelan Doris at number eight, arrive with a settled and experienced lineup. Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley steer the attack while the midfield pairing of Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey offers both creativity and direct running. Up front, Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan anchor a strong scrum, and the work rate of Josh van der Flier and Tadhg Beirne at the breakdown will test England’s ball security. England will be fully focused in this match after coming unstuck against the Scottish last week therefore I am backing the home side to come away with the win. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Wales vs Scotland: Home team (+18.5)

Reason for tip: Wales host Scotland in what promises to be a fascinating Six Nations clash between two sides looking to impose their style on the game. Dewi Lake captains Wales from hooker, with a pack that includes the powerful Aaron Wainwright at number eight and the athletic Dafydd Jenkins in the second row. Tomos Williams and Sam Costelow will be responsible for controlling tempo, while the back three of Louis Rees-Zammit, Josh Adams and Gabriel Hamer-Webb offers genuine pace and finishing ability. Wales will aim to play with width and intensity, using quick ball to test Scotland’s defensive spacing.

Scotland, led by Sione Tuipulotu in midfield, arrive with one of the most dangerous backlines in the competition with Huw Jones in scintillating form. Finn Russell’s creativity at flyhalf and Blair Kinghorn’s counterattacking threat from fullback give them multiple attacking options. The presence of Duhan van der Merwe on the wing adds power and try-scoring ability, while Rory Darge and Matt Fagerson will look to disrupt Wales at the breakdown. Wales will do well to keep the margin of defeat down after the mauling they took from both France and England. Scotland will win this encounter but I am backing Wales to cover the +18.5 handicap. 

Black Rams vs D-Rocks: Home team (-12.5)

BlackRams Tokyo take on the D-Rocks in what promises to be an exciting and physical contest in Japan’s top domestic competition. The BlackRams boast a strong spine, with TJ Perenara pulling the strings at scrumhalf and Isaac Lucas providing direction from fullback. In the forwards, Liam Gill and Brodie McCurran will be key at the breakdown, while Sione Waqabaca offers power at the back of the scrum. The presence of experienced campaigners like Matt Onishi and Yuta Taniguchi up front should provide stability at set piece time.

The D-Rocks, however, bring serious firepower of their own. Springbok loose forward Jasper Wiese anchors the back row, with Samu Kerevi adding direct running and physicality in midfield. Israel Folau’s aerial ability and finishing skills on the wing make him a constant attacking threat, while veteran flyhalf Harumichi Tamura will look to control territory and build scoreboard pressure. This clash could be decided at the breakdown, where both sides have strong ball carriers and fetchers. If the BlackRams can use Perenara’s tempo to stretch the defence, they will create opportunities out wide therefore I am backing them to cover the -12.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• England vs Ireland- Home win
• Wales vs Scotland- Away win
• Lions vs Sharks- Home win
• Highlanders vs Chiefs- Home win
• Western Force vs Blues- Away win
• Kobe Steel vs Wild Knights- Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika- Home win✅
• Waratahs vs Fijian Drua-Home win✅
• England U20 vs Ireland U20- Home win✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Suntory Sungoliath vs Canon Eagles
• France vs Italy
• Crusaders vs Brumbies

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.