Best Rugby Betting Sites in South Africa

For decades sports betting in South Africa was illegal but all that changed around 2006 and since then there has been an explosion of online betting companies that have joined the local betting scene. We at Online Betting South Africa have researched the very best of these bookies so you can make an informed decision before you join a betting site.Start your betting adventure today by following one of the links on this page to your favoured bookie.
Updated: | Author: Indran Naidoo

Best rugby betting sites in SA

Rugby in South Africa has a huge following and is the second most popular sport in the country, after all we are home to the World Champion Springboks. The best betting sites have reacted accordingly and have rugby matches from all around the globe covered to satisfy the thirst of the local rugby punters.

We have drawn up a table of the top 5 best rugby betting sites to help you decide the rugby bookie that best suits your needs.

Our Expertity Affiliate Disclosure
Bookmaker Reviews Advantages Welcome Bonus
5.0
  • Superb range of sports and casino games
  • Plenty of promotions of the site
  • Excellent speed on site

Bonus: First Deposit match offer of up to R1000

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Superb range of sports and casino games
  • Plenty of promotions of the site
  • Excellent speed on site
  • Mobile app can be slow at times
Info list
  • Payment methods
    Visa, 1 Voucher and OTT, Instant EFT and OZOW
  • Min. Deposit
    R10
  • Feature
    Daily Jackpot
  • Feature
    Build-a-Bet
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED BETWAY

Players’ Rating
4.5
Bonuses
4.0
Odds
5.0
Markets Availability
5.0
Mobile App
4.0
Payments methods
5.0
Support
4.0
4.0
  • Largest welcome bonus
  • best odds on football, multi payout methods
  • WSB has an easy-to-use bet slip for players
  • 24/7 customer service

Bonus: R50 No-Deposit Bonus

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Largest welcome bonus
  • best odds on football, multi payout methods
  • WSB has an easy-to-use bet slip for players
  • 24/7 customer service
  • Site design is outdated, clearly in need of updating
  • Long wait for customer service
  • Delays in resulting bets
  • There is no official mobile app
Info list
  • Payment methods
    Credit/ Debit cards, OZOW, Voucher, EFT, Blu, Direct deposit
  • Min. Deposit
    R10
  • Feature
    Live streaming
  • Feature
    Cash out feature
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED WORLD SPORTS BETTING

Players’ Rating
4.6
Bonuses
5.0
Odds
5.0
Markets Availability
5.0
Mobile App
4.0
Payments methods
5.0
Support
5.0
4.4
  • Excellcent promotions
  • Wide range of sports and casino game available
  • Easy wagering requirements for the bonus
  • The sportsbook has a Lucky Numbers option

Bonus: 100% Bonus up to R1000

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Excellcent promotions
  • Wide range of sports and casino game available
  • Easy wagering requirements for the bonus
  • The sportsbook has a Lucky Numbers option
  • Delayed payout times
  • Limited hours for customer support
  • They do not have a live streaming option
  • Limited number of payment methods
Info list
  • Payment methods
    Visa Credit/debit card, EFT, Voucher, SID Payments
  • Min. Deposit
    R10
  • Feature
    Rewards program
  • Feature
    Cash Out
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED SUNBET

Players’ Rating
2.6
Bonuses
4.0
Odds
5.0
Markets Availability
5.0
Mobile App
5.0
Payments methods
3.0
Support
3.0
4.5
  • Fantastic promotions on site
  • Excellent range of sports and Casino games
  • Most visible betting brand
  • Great speed on desktop and mobile app

Bonus: R25 sign-un bonus + 50 free spins

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Fantastic promotions on site
  • Excellent range of sports and Casino games
  • Most visible betting brand
  • Great speed on desktop and mobile app
  • Poor welcome bonus
  • Withdrawal problems
Info list
  • Minimum Deposit
    R10
  • Payment Methods
    Visa Payments, Virtual Card payments, Sendspend, Betshops, Instant EFT
  • Feature 1
    Cash Out
  • Feature 2
    Same Match Betbuilder
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED HOLLYWOODBETS

Players’ Rating
4.5
Bonuses
5.0
Odds
5.0
Markets Availability
5.0
Mobile App
4.0
Payments methods
2.0
Support
3.0
4.8
  • Streamlined registration process
  • Variety of Sports covered
  • Easy access to welcome bonus

Bonus: R3000 casino bonus and R500 sports bonus

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Streamlined registration process
  • Variety of Sports covered
  • Easy access to welcome bonus
  • No live streaming feature
Info list
  • Payment Methods
    Visa Payments, 1 Voucher, OZOW, Instant EFT
  • Minimum Deposit
    R10
  • Feature 1
    Multi Boost
  • Feature 2
    Cash Out
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED 10BET

Players’ Rating
4.6
Bonuses
4.0
Odds
4.0
Markets Availability
4.0
Mobile App
5.0
Payments methods
5.0
Support
5.0
4.3
  • Reputable bookie with extensive experience
  • Multitude of promotional offers
  • Easy usability for new players

Bonus: 100% first deposit bonus up to R2000

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Reputable bookie with extensive experience
  • Multitude of promotional offers
  • Easy usability for new players
  • Limited withdrawal options
Info list
  • Payment Methods
    Debit and credit cards
  • Minimum Deposit
    R10
  • Feature 1
    100% Bet Insurance
  • Feature 2
    Sports Cashback
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED BETWINNER

Players’ Rating
5.0
Bonuses
5.0
Odds
4.0
Markets Availability
4.0
Mobile App
5.0
Payments methods
3.0
Support
5.0
4.6
  • Simplified registration process
  • Easy to download mobile app
  • Super fast online site

Bonus: 150% First Deposit Match up to R1 000

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Simplified registration process
  • Easy to download mobile app
  • Super fast online site
  • Limited hours for customer service
  • No horse racing
Info list
  • Methods
    OZOW, Visa Payments, 1 Voucher, Instant EFT and Credit Card
  • Minimum Deposit
    R10
  • Feature 1
    Losing Leg 10x Bet Refund
  • Feature 2
    Up to 400% Bet Boost
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED EASYBET

Players’ Rating
5.0
Bonuses
5.0
Odds
5.0
Markets Availability
4.0
Mobile App
4.0
Payments methods
5.0
Support
4.0
3.8
  • Double Welcome Bonus
  • Great odds on football markets
  • Extensive betting markets for horse racing

Bonus: R30 No-Deposit Bonus

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Double Welcome Bonus
  • Great odds on football markets
  • Extensive betting markets for horse racing
  • No dedicated mobile app
  • Limited betting markets for cricket
  • Limited markets for rugby betting
Info list
  • Payment methods
    Visa Credit/debit card, EFT, Voucher, SID Payments
  • Min. Deposit
    R10
  • Feature
    Multi platform availability
  • Feature
    Great betting markets
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED TOPBET

Players’ Rating
2.6
Bonuses
4.0
Odds
4.0
Markets Availability
4.0
Mobile App
3.0
Payments methods
4.0
Support
4.0
4.0
  • Bookie has great reputation
  • Widest range of sports and casino games
  • Super fast withdrawals

Bonus: R50 No deposit Sign-Up bonus

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Bookie has great reputation
  • Widest range of sports and casino games
  • Super fast withdrawals
  • Customer service not available 24/7
Info list
  • Minimum Deposit
    R10
  • Payment Methods
    Credit Cards, 1 Voucher and OTT, Instant EFT and OZOW
  • Feature 1
    Widest range of Live in Play betting
  • Feature 2
    Great odds booster on Multi Bets
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED SUPABETS

Players’ Rating
4.0
Bonuses
5.0
Odds
5.0
Markets Availability
5.0
Mobile App
4.0
Payments methods
4.0
Support
4.0
4.6
  • Live streaming on selected matches
  • wide variety of betting options
  • Multiple secure deposit methods
  • Low wagering requirements

Bonus: R1000 First Deposit Bonus

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Live streaming on selected matches
  • wide variety of betting options
  • Multiple secure deposit methods
  • Low wagering requirements
  • Slow customer service
  • Limited withdrawal options
  • Live streaming is only for selected events
Info list
  • Payment methods
    Credit/ Debit cards, OZOW, Voucher, EFT
  • Min. Deposit
    R10
  • Feature
    Statistics page
  • Feature
    Wide range of live betting options
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED BETCOZA

Players’ Rating
4.8
Bonuses
5.0
Odds
4.0
Markets Availability
5.0
Mobile App
4.0
Payments methods
5.0
Support
5.0
4.7
  • Live lucky numbers draws 24/7
  • Sleek design and user-friendly interface website
  • Fair number of bonuses and promotions
  • There are casinos, sports betting, lotteries

Bonus: 1st deposit bonus up to R3000

Claim Now! Review
Advantages and disadvantages
  • Live lucky numbers draws 24/7
  • Sleek design and user-friendly interface website
  • Fair number of bonuses and promotions
  • There are casinos, sports betting, lotteries
  • Limited option for sports betting
  • Limited payment and withdrawl methos
  • There is no live chat feature for customer support
Info list
  • Payment methods
    Visa Credit/debit card, Voucher, Direct deposit
  • Min. Deposit
    R10
  • Feature
    Excellent welcome bonus
  • Feature
    Largest selection of Lotto games
HOW WE’VE ESTIMATED YESPLAY

Players’ Rating
4.4
Bonuses
4.0
Odds
5.0
Markets Availability
4.0
Mobile App
4.0
Payments methods
4.0
Support
4.0

Read also: International Betting Sites and The Best Casinos

How to choose rugby betting sites

Rugby betting is super exciting as the game moves ahead very quickly and at times there could be a point per minute scored. The choosing of the right rugby bookmaker is the first and most important step of your rugby betting journey. We have selected a criteria to assist you choosing the best rugby betting site.

World Sports Betting

WSB have claimed our title of the best betting site in the country as they offer
extensive betting markets with their rugby coverage encompassing rugby matches from the amateur level right up to the international tournaments.Lets take a look at how they fare against our strict criteria.

  • ⚖️Rugby betting odds – WSB has the best rugby betting odds on the local betting scene and this is the most important factor in us ranking them first.
  • 🏉Rugby betting markets – This bookie has in depth betting markets and offers extensive handicap betting on all matches.
  • 🌐Rugby betting coverage – Rugby matches from both the XV man games and the Sevens game are extensively covered.
  • 🎁Rugby Betting Features/Promotions – This bookie has rugby specific promotions and offers an odds boost on all multibets.

Sunbet

  • ⚖️Rugby betting odds Sunbet has the second best rugby odds in the country.
  • 🏉Rugby betting markets – They have extensive markets for each game with international matches having over a 100 betting markets for a single game.
  • 🌐Rugby betting coverage – Matches from the amateur level through to the professional game is covered by this bookie
  • 🎁Rugby Betting Features/Promotions – Sunbet is the only bookie that returns half your stake even if your selected team draws the match.

Betway

  • ⚖️Rugby betting odds Betway has competitive odds on rugby and can rival many of the other bookies
  • 🏉Rugby betting markets – They have a decent spread of betting markets for punters.
  • 🌐Rugby betting coverage – They have coverage of all the major rugby tournaments from both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.
  • 🎁Rugby Betting Features/Promotions – They offer an odds booster on rugby multibets.

What factors should be considered when selecting a rugby betting site?

We have briefly mentioned our criteria for rating the best rugby sites and now we will have a more in depth look at how these factors will play a major role in you choosing the right online bookie.

Rugby betting odds

The odds that are offered by a bookie determines the profit or winnings you will receive if your bet wins.

Sometimes the odds look very similar but the slightly better odds can translate into much bigger winnings especially if you take accumulator bets. World Sports betting has the best rugby odds, closely followed by Sunbet and Betway.

Rugby betting markets

Rugby used to have very few betting options in the past but we are glad to say there are now over a 100 different betting options on a single match.

Match events like who will score the first try or will there be a drop goal now have betting markets. Betway and WSB have the most in depth markets followed by Sunbet.

Rugby betting coverage

The expansion of the oval ball sport into areas like Japan has meant that there is rugby from all corners of the globe.

All the local rugby competitions are extensively covered as well as tournaments from Asia and Europe. WSB and Sunbet have the best rugby betting markets followed by Betway.

Rugby betting features/promotions

Getting promotions that are directly for rugby is not easy to find therefore Sunbet is the leader in this category as they have six rugby specific promotions followed by WSB with two rugby specific promotions.

Betway trails these bookies in third place.

Best bonuses for rugby betting

Sunbet is the leader of the pack when it comes to rugby promotions and features. WSB also offers some excellent rugby promotions while Betway offer an excellent odds boost feature on multibets although it is not specifically a rugby promotion. We will now be taking a closer look at some of these great superb promotions.

Double Up First Try Scorer

Place a bet on the First Try Scorer in Super Rugby and if your bet wins, WSB will double your winning in Free bets. This offer is only on pre-match bets and the free bet payout is up to a maximum of R2000.

Read more about WSB bonuses

Beaten by the Buzzer

Sunbet will return your stake if your rugby team loses the match after the hooter for full time goes.

The offer is valid for pre match outright winner bets only and can only be claimed once in a 7 day cycle. You must have staked a minimum of R50 from your cash balance to be considered for this refund. The maximum Free Bet claimable is R500.

Terms & conditions – here

Dropped my winnings

If your team is leading the match on points but a drop goal is scored against your team which is the last points scored resulting in your team losing, Sunbet will refund 50% of your stake.

The offer is valid for pre match outright winner bets only and can only be claimed once in a 7 day cycle. You must have staked a minimum of R50 from your cash balance order to be considered for this refund. The maximum Free Bet claimable is R500.

Read more about Sunbet bonuses

Best rugby events

Rugby tournaments from all across the world have betting markets and these include the various leagues and of course the international tournaments. We will now be looking at the biggest and most popular rugby tournaments for punters.

Rugby World Cup

The pinnacle tournament on the rugby calendar is undoubtedly the Rugby World Cup which takes place every four years. We have included it at the top of the list as 2023 in a world cup year. The Springboks will defend their crown in France and you can be sure that there will be loads of great betting promotions heading towards the tournament.

The Springboks have been given a tough draw if they are to progress to the quarter finals but the adage of “You have to beat the best to be the best” rings loudly.

United Rugby Championships (URC)

The URC is in its second year and is hugely popular with local punters as it features South Africa’s top four teams namely the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and the Lions along with the best club sides from Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The tournament is played on a league basis with the top 8 teams advancing to the play-offs. The Stormers surprised many when they won the inaugural competition ahead of red hot favourites Leinster.

Champions Cup

This competition is rugby’s answer to football’s elite European competition the Champions league. The top teams from the URC are joined by teams from England and France to compete for the most coveted club prize in Europe. The South African teams are making their debut in the tournament this year.

The teams are divided into two groups with the top 8 from each group advancing to the round of 16.

Rugby Championships

The Rugby Championship is hugely popular with punters and rugby fans alike as the four Southern Hemisphere giants, Springboks, All Blacks, Australia and Argentina battle it out for the crown.

This year it will be all the more important as the winner will take a lot of confidence going into the World Cup.

Playing on your mobile? Try the best betting apps in South Africa!

What are some possible rugby betting markets?

Rugby betting markets have changed drastically in recent years and went from having around 20 pre match betting options to well over a 100 different bets on a single match. We will now be looking at some of the most popular bets for rugby punters.

Match winner

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. Sunbet has a great feature in the event of a draw, as they refund you 50% of your stake.

The outright winner is also a bet that can be used to predict the winner of a tournament. Eg Rugby World Cup.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting in rugby is another important type of bet especially when two teams of different strengths play each other. The weaker team may be given a head of +12.5 points which means if you back the stronger team on the handicap, they must win by 13 or more points for your bet to be a winner.

WSB and Sunbet have the most in depth handicap markets in all rugby matches.

Over/Under Points

This is when the bookie offers a total eg +50.5 points. You need to place a bet that the match totals will either be over 50.5 or under that total. It is important to look at weather conditions in this type of bet as wet weather will favour the Under bet as handling will be difficult.

Outright winner

The outright winner is a bet whereby you bet on a team to win the tournament. Eg Rugby World Cup.

How to Bet on Rugby

After you have chosen your bookie, follow these easy steps to place a bet on rugby.
  • Logging in: Log into your betting account by entering your username and password.
    1
  • Select rugby: Click on the rugby from the sport menu of the bookie.
    2
  • Select league/competition: Choose the league or competition that you want to bet on.
    3
  • Select team/s: Select the team you want to place a bet on or in the case of an accumulator bet, select all the teams you want to bet on.
    4
  • Enter Amount: Once you made your selections, enter the amount of the bet and click on submit.
    5

Read our guide on how to bet on rugby.

Our tips on how to win

Betting on rugby can be lucrative business especially as there is very seldom a drawn match unlike in football. Here are some tips to assist you in winning your rugby bets.

  • Form of teams. It is vital to check the form of the teams involved in the match and also the historical record of the two teams playing against each other. This will allow you to make an informed decision when placing your bet.
  • Weather Conditions. The weather conditions will play a part as a rainy day will favour the team that has a stronger forward pack as there will be many handling errors due to the wet ball.
  • Anytime Try Scorer. In the modern rugby union game, the rolling maul has become a major weapon therefore backing the hooker to be an anytime try scorer is an excellent bet as the odds are generally high on this bet.

Conclusion

Betting on rugby in South Africa is always going to be popular as this is the second most watched sport in the country. Rugby punters now have the option to bet on matches from around the world from your mobile anytime night or day.

It is important to never rush into betting but rather take your team and research your teams. We all love to back our favourite teams but remember to bet with your head and not your heart. If you feel your team may lose, then simply skip betting on that match.

Always scout around for best odds as certain bookies offer better odds on specific competitions.

Start your rugby betting adventure today by clicking on the link on this page to your favourite betting site.