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. You can be assured all the big rugby this weekend will be previewed on this page.
Rugby Predictions FRIDAY 05 SEPETEMBER 2026
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Springboks vs All Blacks: Home team(-6.5)1.90
Tip 1: Springboks to cover the -6.5 handicap
Reason for the tip: The Springboks and All Blacks meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday, 5 September 2026, with the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series level at 1-1. South Africa will enter the decisive Johannesburg Test with confidence after beating New Zealand 33-26 in Cape Town last weekend. The Springboks are expected to rely on their powerful forwards, set-piece strength and defensive intensity, while the All Blacks will look to use their attacking pace and expansive style. With home advantage and the series momentum behind them, South Africa will be determined to take control.
New Zealand will know they must start much faster after slow openings in the first two Tests, while changes to their forward pack are aimed at improving their set-piece performance. South Africa, meanwhile, have made a change at fullback following Damian Willemse’s injury, with Cheslin Kolbe moving into the position. This promises another physical battle, with the Springboks looking to dominate possession and territory while the All Blacks attempt to exploit space out wide. We expect a closely fought contest, but home advantage could prove decisive therefore I am backing the Boks to cover the -6.5 handicap.
Tasman vs Wellington: Home team(-19.5)1.90
Tip 2: Tasman to win
Reason for the tip: Tasman Mako will host Wellington Lions at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, 5 September 2026, in an important NPC Round 6 clash. The Mako will be looking to respond after their 20-10 defeat to Northland last weekend, while Wellington arrive after losing 46-35 to Counties Manukau. Tasman have won three of their five matches this season and will have home advantage behind them. The Mako starting XV features David Havili at fullback, William Havili at fly-half and Mitchell Drummond returning at scrum-half, giving the hosts plenty of experience.
Wellington name Geordie Bean at prop, captain Caleb Delany at lock, Dominic Ropeti at No.7 and Riley Williams at scrum-half, with William Davis and Losi Filipo also included in the backline. The Lions have yet to win in their opening five matches, conceding 112 points during that run, which highlights their defensive struggles. Tasman, meanwhile, have a stronger recent record and have won three of the last five meetings between these teams. With the Mako playing at home and welcoming Drummond back, we expect Tasman to dominate the contest and claim victory by more than 20 points.
Argentina vs Australia(WIN) 1.58
Tip 3: Australia to win
Reason for the tip:Coming off the back of that loss to Australia, Argentina will be hoping to bounce back against Australia at home in Estadio Malvinas Argentinas. Los Pumas were defeated by the Wallabies 27-21 in their latest match, which is a continuation of a poor streak of results where they have lost five of their last six games. But the hosts will feel good about their chances since they were victorious by 67-27 in their last meeting with Australia at this ground. There have been a few changes made by Felipe Contepomi, including shifting Santiago Carreras into fullback and Nicolas Roger into fly-half.
Australia are on a positive run of results compared to their tough start to the season, winning all four of their latest matches. The Wallabies beat Italy 57-10 and subsequently defeated Los Pumas by a score of 27-21 last weekend. Australia have made some changes to their squad, with Len Ikitau, Filipo Daugunu and Ben Donaldson all in the backline. Also featuring in the pack are Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini while Australia are very dangerous with ball in hand out wide which will see them to a 2-0 series win.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Waikato vs Canterbury: Home team(win)1.87
Reason for tip: Waikato will play at their home turf under the captaincy of Mitch Jacobson and include players like Malachi Wrampeling and Ruben Rennert in the forwards. The team has also named Taha Kemara and Nathan Stephens as their fly-half and scrum-half respectively, while Daniel Sinkinson is selected as the fullback. With all this strength playing at home, Waikato will be more confident to dominate the forwards of Canterbury from the start of the match tonight.
On the other hand, the captain Brodie McAlister leads the side, assisted by experienced players like Liam Jack, Xavier Tracy, and Finn McLeod in the forwards. The half-back position includes Louie Chapman as scrum-half and Andrew Knewstubb as fly-half. Meanwhile, Jone Rova and Dallas McLeod form the midfield with Isaac Hutchinson as their fullback. It is a very competitive game, but both sides have strength all over the squad. The bench of the home side will see them to a narrow win.
Stade Francais vs Perpignan : Home team(-16.5)1.85 odds
Reason for tip: Paris will host Perpignan at Stade Jean Bouin with both sides naming their lineups for this Top 14 encounter. Paris will rely on a forward pack featuring Giorgi Gabrillagues, Tangâ and Chapuis, while Kerr-Barlow and Carbonel form the halfback combination. In the backline, Ward and Etien provide attacking options alongside captain Barré at fullback. Playing at home should give Paris confidence, but they will need to maintain discipline and control possession against a Perpignan side capable of making this contest physical from the opening whistle.
Perpignan enter the match with a lineup built around experienced forwards including Warion, Gray and Della Schiava, while Hall and Garbisi will look to direct the attack. Reece and Forner add further threats in the backline, with Ennor and Rabut providing midfield strength. Paris appear to have the advantage because of home conditions and a balanced starting XV, but Perpignan should be competitive if they can pressure the hosts at the breakdown. We expect Stade Francais to dominate from the first whistle and win this contest by more than 17 points.
Bordeaux Begles vs Racing: Home team(-14.5)1.91 odds
Reason for tip: Union Bordeaux-Bègles will begin their 2026/27 Top 14 campaign at home against Racing 92 on Saturday, 5 September 2026, at Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas. The hosts look well placed to start with a victory, particularly with home advantage and a strong squad on paper. Their starting XV includes Jalibert, Lucu, Depoortère and Bielle-Biarrey, while Willis and Woki add considerable strength to the pack. Racing 92 arrive with Machenaud and Gibert in the halfbacks, alongside Spring and Costes in the backline. UBB are clear favourites in the available pre-match assessments.
Racing 92 should provide competition, but their away record from last season was less convincing, with four wins, one draw and eight defeats on the road. UBB also won the most recent meeting between these sides 62-20 in January 2026, although Racing previously won 44-32 in September 2025. The Bordeaux side therefore have the attacking quality to control this contest, while Racing may struggle to contain their hosts for 80 minutes. Our prediction is a comfortable home victory, with UBB expected to score consistently and win by more than 15 points
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Bay of Plenty vs Manawatu- Home win
- Tasman vs Wellington- Home win
- Waikato vs Canterbury- Home win
- Japan vs Canada- Home win
- South Africa vs New Zealand- Home win
- Argentina vs Australia-Away win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Hawkes Bay vs Otago- Home win✅
- Montauban vs Grenoble-Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- Griquas vs Lions
- Cheetahs vs Pumas
- Counties vs Southland
- North Harbour vs Northlands
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.
