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 SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 2026
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Bulls vs All Blacks: Home team(+31.5)1.90
Tip 1: Bulls to cover +31.5 handicap
Reason for the tip: The Bulls face the ultimate litmus test when they take on the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld with the Pretoria side hoping to make home advantage count. The Bulls have named a strong team featuring experienced Springboks Willie le Roux, Marcell Coetzee and Hanro Liebenberg, while Curwin Bosch and Embrose Papier will be important in controlling the game from the halfback position. Thaakir Abrahams and Stravino Jacobs provide plenty of pace out wide, and the Bulls will need to be clinical with their opportunities against a dangerous All Blacks defence.
The All Blacks arrive in Pretoria with plenty of confidence after impressive wins over the Stormers and Sharks on their tour. Beauden Barrett starts at fullback, while Rieko Ioane and Anton Lienert-Brown provide significant experience in the midfield. Codie Taylor captains a pack that includes Patrick Tuipulotu and Tyrel Lomax, giving the visitors plenty of power up front. The Bulls should be far more competitive than the Sharks were, particularly at altitude, but the All Blacks’ overall quality and experience should see them pull away in the second half. I am tipping the visitors to stroll to a comfortable win but I am backing the Bulls to cover the +31.5 handicap.
Australia vs Japan: Home team (-17.5) 1.80odds
Tip 2: Australia to win
Reason for the tip: Japan will be confident of ending their long wait for a first Test victory over Australia when the two sides meet in Townsville on Saturday. The Brave Blossoms have lost all eight previous encounters, but the gap between the teams has narrowed considerably. Japan’s last two defeats to the Wallabies have come by just four and three points but it will be a tougher challenge playing Down Under.Eddie Jones has made five changes, with Tiennan Costley returning at flanker and Harry Hockings coming into the second row. University students Yoshitaka Yazaki and Ryunosuke Ito also retain their places after excellent performances in the last match.
Australia have also made wholesale changes as Les Kiss looks to manage his squad while maintaining their winning momentum. Carter Gordon returns at fly-half after recovering from a calf injury, while Isaac Henry makes his first start at inside centre. The Wallabies have also rested several experienced forwards, including Rob Valetini and Allan Alaalatoa, which could give Japan encouragement. However, Australia still possess plenty of quality throughout their lineup, with Taniela Tupou, Harry Wilson and Hunter Paisami among the players capable of making a difference. Australia look set to build a big lead in the first half therefore I am tipping them to win and cover the -17.5 handicap.
Pumas(WIN) 1.35 odds vs Stormers XXlll
Tip 3: Pumas to win
Reason for the tip:The Stormers XXIII will be hoping to stay in contention for a playoff berth with the upcoming Currie Cup clash against the Pumas at Mbombela. This Cape outfit has had a mixed season so far and has been defeated by the Cheetahs 31-26 in their last game. Jean-Luc du Plessis is their captain who lines up at fly-half. In their pack, Wandile Mlaba and Keke Morabe will be in action for the loose trio. Meanwhile, Joel Leotlela is set for his first match of the season on the wing.
The Pumas are expected to feel at home playing at Mbombela and will use their home-ground conditions to their advantage. The Stormers have made five changes to their starting line-up, with four of them made among the forwards to bring more muscle power into their lineup. The visitors will need to show a solid display throughout the 80 minutes if they are to come away with the maximum points. With the home team making the most out of their home advantage, along with the visitors needing a result badly, this should be a tight affair. I am backing the Pumas to come away with a narrow victory.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Canterbury(WIN)1.35 odds vs Bay of Plenty
Reason for tip: Canterbury will look to maintain their perfect start to the 2026 NPC season when they face Bay of Plenty in Round 3. The defending champions have won their opening two matches, including a narrow 19-15 victory over Otago that saw them regain the Ranfurly Shield. Canterbury have made several changes to their starting XV, but still have plenty of quality throughout the side. Bay of Plenty will provide another stern test after securing their first win of the campaign with a dramatic 34-31 victory over Northland last weekend. The champions will have to continue their campaign without the returning Richie Mounga who has been called up to the All Blacks South African tour.
Canterbury have won three of their last four meetings with Bay of Plenty, although the visitors will be encouraged by their recent attacking form. Nikora Broughton has been particularly impressive and will be an important figure in the Bay of Plenty pack. Canterbury should have enough control and experience to handle the challenge, especially with the Ranfurly Shield on the line. However, Bay of Plenty are unlikely to make it easy and could keep the contest close for long periods. I am backing the home side to win this match by more than 7 points.
Auckland vs Hawkes Bay: Away team(-5.5)1.62 odds
Reason for tip: The youthful Auckland will have some work cut out for them as they face an undefeated Hawke’s Bay side in round three of the NPC. The visitors are having a good start to the season and will come to Auckland full of confidence after winning both their opening matches. Eight changes have been made in the home team’s starting XV lineup, with some players being moved to other positions. Stephen Perofeta brings experience as fly-half, with Pita Ahki and Xavi Taele crucial for their play in the midfield. The home team will have to be more consistent and capitalize on any opportunity presented by the confident Hawke’s Bay side.
The attacking capabilities of Hawke’s Bay cannot be underestimated, with Folau Fakatava and Harry Godfrey making a fine combination as halfbacks. The Magpies have a powerful loose-forwards pack with the likes of Christian Flanders and Tom Franklin playing prominent roles there. The home team will have to be wary of the Super Rugby experience in the visitors’ backs with Derby Lancaster and Zane Sullivan causing Auckland trouble if given space. Auckland’s home advantage should make this competitive, but Hawke’s Bay’s unbeaten start is set to continue The visitors’ all round game and the interplay between forwards and backs will be too much for the hosts to handle, with them winning by more than 6 points.
Manuwatu vs Otago: Away team(-5.5)1.62 odds
Reason for tip:Manawatu will be looking to build on their dramatic 36-35 comeback victory over Southland when they host Otago in Round 3 of the NPC. The Turbos produced a thrilling late turnaround last weekend, with Te Kamaka Howden playing a major role in the victory. Manawatu have made seven changes to their starting XV, including several positional switches, as they look to maintain their momentum. The biggest change is at eight where last weeks hero Braydon Iose has been rested.
Otago will be looking for redemption after narrowly losing the Ranfurly Shield to Canterbury. The visitors have made just one change to their starting lineup, with Hayden Bell replacing Nathan Souchon at hooker. Otago have plenty of quality throughout their team, including Christian Lio-Willie. With Otago desperate to respond and Manawatu full of confidence, this should be a competitive contest. The class of the Otago team with Cameron Millar pulling the strings at ten should have too much firepower for the hosts. I am backing Otago to win by more than 14 points.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Pumas vs Stormers- Home win
- Bulls vs All Blacks- Away win
- Canterbury vs Bay of Plenty- Home win
- Australia vs Japan- Home win
- Auckland vs Hawkes Bay- Away win
- Manuwatu vs Otago- Away win
- Fiji(W) vs South Africa(W)- Away win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Northlands vs Taranaki- Home win✅
- Lions vs Boland- Home win❌
- Griquas vs Sharks- Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- Southland vs Waikato
- Bulls vs Cheetahs
- Counties vs Taranaki
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.
