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 06 December 2025

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

Lions vs Benetton 

Tip 1: Benetton to win 

Reason for the tip: The Lions and Benetton square off in Johannesburg in a Challenge Cup opener that pits South African physicality against Italian organisation and flair. The hosts make minimal changes from the team that impressively beat the Bulls last time out. Chris Smith and Morne van den Berg form an experienced halfback pairing, tasked with controlling territory and unlocking a backline featuring the powerful Erich Cronje and the evasive Quan Horn. Eduan Keyter and Kelly Mpeku offer finishing ability with their speed on the wings.

Benetton arrive with one of their strongest squads in recent seasons and will pose a structured, dynamic threat. Rhyno Smith provides counterattacking spark from fullback while the wing pairing of Louis Lynagh and Ignacio Mendy offers pace and aerial competition. The centre combination of Tommaso Menoncello and Leonardo Marin brings both power and playmaking variety.  In the pack the Italians boast a hard-edged pack led by captain Michele Lamaro with Cannone and Snyman forming a rugged lock partnership. Jacob Umaga will control proceedings with his educated boot and running game from the pivot position. I am backing Benetton to come away with the win. 

Saracens vs Clermont 

Tip 2: Saracens to win

Reason for the tip: Former winners Saracens open their Champions Cup campaign at home against Clermont in what promises to be a titanic clash between two proud European sides with contrasting styles. The home side have named a powerful, balanced lineup led by Ivan van Zyl in the absence of Maro Itoje. With Owen Farrell will play at flyhalf with Elliot Daly offering kicking range and counter-attacking ability from fullback, the hosts will look to control territory and build pressure through their trademark structured game. The ball-carrying threat of Tom Willis and the set-piece strength provided by Nick Isiekwe and Hugh Tizard will be central to Saracens’ physical approach.

Clermont arrive with plenty of firepower of their own despite travelling to one of Europe’s toughest venues. Captain Baptiste Jauneau partners Harry Plummer in a halfback pairing capable of injecting tempo while backs like Bautista Delguy, Alex Newsome and Irae Simone offer creativity and strike running. They are no slouches in the pack with the likes of Tevita Ratuva, Selevasio Tolofua and the experienced Rob Simmons ready to give them a boost from the bench. I am backing Sarries for the win thanks to their excellent replacement bench. 

Bulls vs Bordeaux

Tip 3: Bordeaux to win

Reason for the tip: The Bulls could not have asked for a more difficult task as they kick off their Champions Cup campaign at Loftus Versfeld with a mouth-watering clash against defending champions Bordeaux-Bègles. This match is guaranteed to deliver high pace, physical collisions and plenty of attacking flair. Johan Ackerman fields a powerful Bulls side led by Marcell Coetzee whose experience and work rate will be crucial against a visitor’s pack stacked with international quality. The Bulls welcome Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard whose game management was missed in the defeat to the Lions. There are plenty of attacking threats in the backline with wingers Canan Moodie and Sabastian de Klerk deadly in space.

Bordeaux travel with a star-studded backline featuring Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and playmakers Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lucu, one of Europe’s best halfback pairings. Their pack is equally formidable, with former Wallaby Adam Coleman, Cameron Woki and former Lions prop Carlu Sadie bringing size and power. Impact players such as Ben Tameifuna, Jonny Gray, and Rohan Janse van Rensburg highlight the depth they have on the bench. It is difficult to see any weakness in the Bordeaux team therefore I am backing them for the win. 

La Rochelle vs Leicester Tigers

Tip 4: La Rochelle to win

Reason for the tip: La Rochelle opens their Champions Cup campaign at home against Leicester Tigers in a clash that blends power, youth and contrasting styles. The home side led by inspirational captain Grégory Alldritt have trong and experienced lineup despite missing a few frontline stars like Will Skelton. Their pack remains formidable with Levani Botia adding trademark physicality at openside and Joel Sclavi and Tolu Latu anchoring a powerful front row. Ihaia West will be pulling the strings from the flyhalf position with the creative UJ Seuteni and dangerous runners Dillyn Leyds and Jules Favre also in the backline.  

Leicester Tigers travel with a youthful and energetic squad which makes their task all the more difficult. Captain Charlie Clare leads a pack featuring hard-working forwards like Harry Wells, Cameron Henderson, and No.8 Joaquin Moro. In the backline, electric winger Adam Radwan offers a dangerous counterattacking threat, while Billy Searle and Tom Whiteley will be tasked with steering the side tactically. La Rochelle also boasts serious bench muscle, with European stalwarts Uini Atonio, Ultan Dillane, and prop Reda Wardi ready to make an impact. I am backing La Rochelle to come away with a convincing win against an under strength Tigers team

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Leinster vs Harlequins: Home team (-30.5)

Reason for tip: Leinster open their Champions Cup campaign at the Aviva Stadium with a powerhouse side that underlines their intent to reclaim European glory that has eluded them for so long. The return of Jamison Gibson-Park at scrumhalf and Caelan Doris as captain gives their attack instant rhythm while the selection of Sam Prendergast at flyhalf adds an exciting playmaking dimension. The home side bring a blend of sharp footwork, intelligent kicking and relentless accuracy when they are firing on all cylinders. Their bench is equally imposing with Tadhg Furlong, Rónan Kelleher and Harry Byrne ensuring the intensity won’t dip late on.

Harlequins arrive in Dublin knowing they must produce something special to disrupt Leinster’s rhythm especially as they have rested some of their stars like flyhalf Marcus Smith. Jarrod Evans’ takes the ten jersey and will have the pace of Cadan Murley and Cassius Cleaves out wide. In the pack, Stephan Lewies and Kieran Treadwell provide set-piece strength while Will Evans’ breakdown ability remains one of Quins’ most valuable weapons. With experienced rivals like Joe Launchbury and George Turner on the bench, Quins have reinforcements capable of shifting momentum but the match result will be decided before they come on. I am backing Leinster to win and cover the -30.5 handicap. 

Scarlets vs Bristol Bears: Away team (-7.5)

Reason for tip: The Scarlets host Bristol Bears in a Champions Cup opener that promises attacking ambition as both teams love to run the ball. The Welsh outfit field a strong starting XV that shows minimal changes from the team that whitewashed Glasgow. Gareth Davies and Sam Costelow continue steering the backline with Johnny Williams and Eddie James forming a robust midfield pairing while Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee offer finishing pace out wide. Up front, the Scarlets possess real engine-room power through Sam Lousi and Jake Ball while captain Josh Macleod is a menace with his turnover ability.

Bristol arrive with serious star power and an intent to play high-tempo rugby. Louis Rees-Zammit’s presence on the wing immediately adds strike power and with Kalaveti Ravouvou on the opposite wing. Kieran Marmion and young flyhalf Sam Worsley will look to unleash a midfield built around the direct running of Benhard Janse van Rensburg. Their pack is equally formidable, led by captain Fitz Harding, the sheer physicality of Bill Mata at No. 8, and the international-quality front row of Ellis Genge, Gabriel Oghre and Max Lahiff. I am backing the visitors to win and cover the -7.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Lions vs Benetton- Away win
• Bulls vs Bordeaux- Away win
• La Rochelle vs Leicester Tigers- Home win
• Saracens vs Clermont- Home win
• Bath vs Munster- Home win
• Leinster vs Harlequins- Home win
• Scarlets vs Bristol Bears- Away win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Sale Sharks vs Glasgow Warriors- Away win✅
• Bayonne vs Stormers- Home win❌

Rugby tomorrow

• Toulouse vs Sharks
• Exeter Chiefs vs Cheetahs

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.