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 FRIDAY 17 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 

1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today

Sharks vs Clermont 

Tip 1: Sharks to win 

Reason for the tip:Two teams that have realistically nothing to play for face off when The Sharks welcome Clermont Auvergne Champions Cup clash that promises a fascinating contrast in styles and experience. The Durban-based side field a powerful, Springbok filled lineup led by captain Nick Hatton with world-class front-rowers Ox Nche and Bongi Mbonambi anchoring the pack. In the backline, the Hendrikse brothers control the game at halfback while Aphelele Fassi’s pace and counter-attacking threat from fullback give the Sharks real cutting edge out wide.

Clermont arrive with a youthful but energetic squad, captained by blindside flanker Killian Tixeront. Their back row of Hemery, Dessaigne and Tixeront will look to disrupt at the breakdown and slow Sharks ball while halfbacks Lucas Zamora and Irae Simone are tasked with keeping Clermont competitive territorially. Out wide, Kylan Hamdaoui and Joris Jurand offer pace but they will be tested defensively against a Sharks backline that thrives on front-foot ball.The battle up front is likely to decide the contest. If the Sharks dominate set-piece and collisions, their bench impact with the likes of Vincent Koch, Phepsi Buthelezi and Siya Masuku could prove decisive in the final quarter. I am backing the Sharks to come away with the win. 

Perpignan vs Lions 

Tip 2: Lions to win

Reason for the tip:.USAP host the Lions in a compelling Challenge Cup encounter that pits Top 14 physicality against South African ambition. The Perpignan side are captained by Scotland international Jamie Ritchie, whose breakdown intensity and leadership will be central to their plans. Up front, the sheer power of Posolo Tuilagi at lock ably supported by Joaquin Oviedo at No.8, gives USAP a formidable engine room while halfbacks Gela Aprasidze and Antoine Aucagne will look to control territory and tempo. Out wide, USAP boast significant strike power. Jordan Petaia and Freddy Duguivalu offer pace, power and experience while Duncan Paia’aua provides creativity and distribution in midfield. Playing at home, Perpignan will aim to impose themselves physically and force the game into an arm wrestle.

The Lions arrive with confidence and a youthful, energetic squad led by Francke Horn. Their loose trio, featuring Horn, Batho Hlekani and Renzo du Plessis, thrives on high work rate and quick ball. Chris Smith’s game management at flyhalf and the finishing ability of Angelo Davids and Eduan Keyter give the visitors genuine attacking threat. The key contest will be whether the Lions can match USAP’s power up front and survive sustained pressure. I am backing the visitors to come away with a hard fought victory. 

Stormers vs Leicester Tigers

Tip 3: Stormers to win

Reason for the tip:The Stormers host Leicester Tigers in a Champions Cup clash in Cape Town where the hosts will be pushing for a top two spot in their group while the visitors have no realistic chance to qualify. The home side are led by captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu with the Stormers backline being packed with strike runners, including Leolin Zas, Dylan Maart and the explosive Suleiman Hartzenberg. Wandisile Simelane’s presence at fullback adds counter-attacking threat while Stefan Ungerer will look to keep the tempo high around the fringes.

In the forwards, Evan Roos headlines a powerful back row alongside Ben-Jason Dixon and Paul de Villiers who offer powerful carries and breakdown intensity. Ruben van Heerden and JD Schickerling provide lineout control, while the front row of Mchunu, Venter and Fouché will aim to establish early dominance. Leicester Tigers have selected a weakened team, captained by No.8 Olly Cracknell. Despite this they will provide a stern test for a home side missing a number of key players. If the Stormers can impose their speed and width, they will come away with a bonus point victory. 

Gloucester vs Toulon 

Tip 4: Toulon to win

Reason for the tip: Gloucester welcome RC Toulon in a heavyweight Champions Cup showdown that brings together the grit of the PREM and Top 14 star power. The hosts are led by Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams, whose tempo and decision-making will be crucial behind a forward pack built around experience and work rate. Lewis Ludlow and Jack Clement headline a combative back row while Matias Alemanno adds physical presence and lineout authority in the second row. In the backs, Seb Atkinson and Will Butler offer creativity and defensive solidity with Josh Hathaway and Jack Cotgreave providing pace out wide.

Toulon have come with their strongest team packed with international quality and muscle. Their pack is formidable and features Kyle Sinckler and Jean-Baptiste Gros in the front row with David Ribbans and Brian Alainu’uese supplying power in the engine room. The back row trio of Zach Mercer, Charles Ollivon and Lewis Ludlam promises relentless carrying and breakdown pressure. At halfback, Ben White and Tomas Albornoz give Toulon control and attacking direction while Nacho Brex adds class and composure in midfield. The visitors have not been good away from home but they possess too much star quality against the home team therefore I predict a Toulon victory. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Toulouse vs Sale Sharks: Home team (-40.5)

Reason for tip:Stade Toulousain host Sale Sharks in a daunting Champions Cup fixture that highlights the gulf in experience and star power between the two sides. Toulouse field a formidable lineup captained by Antoine Dupont, with world-class quality spread throughout the team. The halfback pairing of Dupont and Blair Kinghorn offers pace, control and attacking variety, while Thomas Ramos provides accuracy from the tee and counter-attacking threat from fullback. In the pack, the power of Emmanuel Meafou, Anthony Jelonch and Jack Willis should ensure dominance at the breakdown and in collisions with Julien Marchand and Cyril Baille anchoring a strong front row.

Sale arrive with a youthful side led by Marius Louw and will look to compete through work rate and discipline. Gus Warr and Tom Curtis must manage territory well, while Bevan Rodd and Sam Dugdale carry responsibility up front against a relentless Toulouse pack. Out wide, Regan Grace offers explosive pace from the bench if Sale can stay in touch. Toulouse are likely to control possession and tempo, stretching Sale with quick ruck ball and width late in phases. If they convert pressure into points early, the contest could open up quickly. I am backing the home side to cover the -40.5 handicap. 

Munster vs Castres: Away team (+18.5)

Reason for tip: Munster host Castres Olympique in a classic Champions Cup clash that pits Irish intensity against French resilience at Thomond Park. The home side are led by Tadhg Beirne whose leadership and breakdown intelligence set the tone for a Munster pack built on physicality and discipline. With Jean Kleyn and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room and Gavin Coombes carrying hard from No.8, Munster will look to dominate collisions and control territory.

In the backline, the halfback pairing of Craig Casey and Jack Crowley is key to Munster’s tempo and game management. Crowley’s composure and kicking accuracy, combined with Casey’s speed around the ruck should keep Castres under pressure. In the backs, Alex Nankivell and Tom Farrell offer balance in midfield, while Shane Daly and Thaakir Abrahams provide pace and counter-attacking threat out wide.Castres arrive with a typically robust side captained by Baptiste Delaporte. Their forward pack is experienced and abrasive, with Florent Vanverberghe and Tom Staniforth central to their physical approach. Jeremy Fernandez and Pierre Popelin will aim to slow the game down and play for territory while Jack Goodhue brings class and defensive solidity in midfield. I am predicting a home win but backing Castres to cover the +18.5 handicap.

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• 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 Results Yesterday

• Bath vs Edinburgh-Home win✅
• Pau vs Bulls- Away win✅
• Dragons vs Red Bull Newcastle- Home win✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Bristol vs Bordeaux
• Northampton Saints vs Bordeaux Begles
• Racing 92 vs Cheetahs
• La Rochelle vs Harlequins
• Glasgow vs Saracens

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.