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 14 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

Fijian Drua vs Moana Pasifika 

Tip 1: Drua 

Reason for the tip: The Super Rugby Pacific opening round kicks off with an electrifying Pacific derby as the Fijian Drua host Moana Pasifika in what promises to be a high-tempo, physical contest. Drua are traditionally formidable at home as they use the humid conditions and passionate crowd to fuel their fast, offloading style. At the back, Ilaisa Droasese provides counterattacking spark, while the midfield pairing of Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Virimi Vakatawa offers power and creativity. Halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will look to inject pace, allowing loose forwards Elia Canakaivata and Kitione Salawa to dominate the breakdown and keep momentum flowing.

Moana Pasifika arrive with plenty of muscle in their pack. Captain Miracle Faiilagi leads a forward unit that includes the experienced Tom Savage and dynamic No.8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. In the backs, Ngani Laumape brings direct running and physical presence, while William Havili’s composure from fullback will be crucial in managing territory. The key battle will be at the breakdown and defensive discipline. If Moana can slow Drua’s ball, they stay in the fight. However, Drua’s attacking cohesion and home advantage should prove decisive.

Blues vs Chiefs 

Tip 2: Blues to win 

Reason for the tip:.The Super Rugby Pacific opening round delivers a blockbuster Kiwi derby as the Blues face the Chiefs in what promises to be a fierce and physical encounter. Both sides boast explosive talent and powerful forward packs, setting the stage for a high-intensity clash.The Blues will rely on the experience of captain Dalton Papali’i and the dynamic presence of Hoskins Sotutu at No.8 to win the battle up front. Finlay Christie and Stephen Perofeta will look to control territory, while Caleb Clarke provides a constant threat out wide with his pace and strength. Their scrum, anchored by Ofa Tu’ungafasi, could be a key weapon.

The Chiefs counter with a mobile and abrasive pack led by Luke Jacobson. The combination of Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord brings athleticism in the tight five, while Samisoni Taukei’aho’s impact at hooker is crucial. In the backs, Quinn Tupaea offers direct running and Xavier Roe’s quick service can lift the tempo.Expect a fast start with both teams targeting breakdown dominance. While the Chiefs have firepower, they will miss their star Damian McKenzie which will ultimately give the home sixe the advantage. 

Western Force vs Brumbies 

Tip 3: Force to win

Reason for the tip:The Super Rugby Pacific season opens with an all-Australian showdown as the Western Force host the ACT Brumbies in a clash that could set the tone for both campaigns. The Force will look to use home conditions to their advantage, building around a physical forward pack led by captain Jeremy Williams. Carlo Tizzano and Nick Champion de Crespigny bring breakdown intensity, while Ben Donaldson’s boot will be crucial in controlling territory. Out wide, George Bridge and Bayley Kuenzle offer finishing ability, and the presence of Kurtley Beale on the bench adds valuable experience and creativity late in the game.

The Brumbies, however, arrive with a well-drilled pack and a reputation for structure and set-piece dominance. James Slipper anchors the scrum, while Rob Valetini and Charlie Cale provide go-forward in the loose. Captain Ryan Lonergan controls tempo from scrumhalf, and the Brumbies’ maul remains one of the most dangerous weapons in the competition. If the Force can disrupt the Brumbies’ set piece and play with tempo, they will be competitive. The Perth home ground on opening weekend will see the Force claim a narrow victory. 

Ireland vs Italy 

Tip 4: Ireland to win 

Reason for the tip: Ireland welcomes Italy in this crucial Six Nations Championship clash, looking to bounce back with a victory after they were humiliated in Paris by the French last week. There are plenty of changes with Caelan Doris captaining from the back row, Ireland’s pack carries serious authority. The engine room pairing of James Ryan and Joe McCarthy offers lineout security, while Jack Conan provides strong ball carrying at No.8. In the backs, Sam Prendergast gets the nod at fly-half in a surprise move and will aim to control territory alongside scrum-half Craig Casey. Garry Ringrose and Stuart McCloskey form a balanced midfield combination of pace and physicality while James Lowe remains a constant threat on the wing.

Italy, led by Michele Lamaro, arrives with confidence and attacking ambition. Paolo Garbisi’s game management will be vital, and the midfield partnership of Tommaso Menoncello and Leonardo Marin offers creativity although the defensive talents of Ignacio Brex will be missed.  The Cannone brothers add power up front, and Monty Ioane provides finishing ability out wide. However, Ireland’s depth off the bench, including Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and Jamison Gibson-Park will prove decisive in the final quarter. Expect Italy to compete early, but Ireland’s structure, set-piece strength and defensive organisation should take control and get the home side their first win this season. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Scotland vs England: Home team (+8.5)

Reason for tip: Scotland hosts England in a fierce Six Nations Championship showdown which also doubles as a Calcutta Trophy match. The home side were embarrassed by the Italians in Round 1 so we can expect a fiery backlash from them. Scotland’s attacking spark revolves around Finn Russell at fly-half, whose creativity and tactical kicking can unlock any defence. The midfield pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones offers a blend of power and pace while Ben White’s quick service will aim to lift the tempo. Up front, Rory Darge and Jamie Ritchie bring breakdown intensity, and Jack Dempsey provides strong ball carrying from No.8.

England counter with a structured and physical approach as Captain Maro Itoje returns to lead a formidable pack alongside Ollie Chessum while the back row trio of Ben Earl and Sam Underhill promises heavy collisions and defensive pressure. George Ford’s experience at fly-half will be key in controlling territory and Freddie Steward’s aerial strength offers a reliable option under the high ball. The inclusion of Tom Curry and Jamie George from the bench adds serious impact in the closing stages. The contest could hinge on discipline and set-piece efficiency. Scotland’s attacking flair makes them dangerous at home but England’s forward power and tactical control may edge the physical exchanges. I am tipping the visitors for a narrow win but backing Scotland to cover the +8.5 handicap. 

Blue Revs vs Spears Kubota: Away team (-7.5)

Shizuoka Blue Revs face a stern challenge against Kubota Spears in what promises to be a high-quality Japan Rugby League One encounter. The Shizuoka Blue Revs boast attacking flair in the backline, with Charles Piutau and Seabelo Mahuza offering pace and experience, while Vereniki Tuitama provides power out wide. In the forwards, Murray Douglas and Victor Tupou will need to match the physical edge of their opponents and the impact of Semi Radradra from the bench could be decisive late on.

The Kubota Spears, however, arrive with serious firepower. Malcolm Marx anchors the front row and brings breakdown menace, while the lock pairing of Ruan Botha and David Bulbring adds steel in the tight exchanges. At fly-half, Bernard Foley’s game management and tactical kicking will look to control territory, and fullback Shaun Stevenson offers counterattacking spark. This contest could be decided at set piece and breakdown. If Shizuoka can move the ball wide and play at tempo, they have the backs to trouble Kubota. However, the Spears’ forward dominance and big-match experience may prove the difference. I am backing the visitors to cover the -7.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Fijian Drua vs Moana Pasifika- Home win
• Blues vs Chiefs- Home win
• Force vs Brumbies- Home win
• Ireland vs Italy-Home win
• Scotland vs England-Away win
• Wild Knights vs Toyota Verblitz-Home win
• Canon Eagles vs Black Rams-Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Waratahs vs Reds- Home win✅
• Highlanders vs Crusaders- Away win❌
• Scotland U20 vs England U20- Away win✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Wales vs France
• Brave Lupus vs Kobe Steel
• Stade Francais vs Toulouse

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.