How to Bet on the Rugby World Cup
Betting on the Rugby World Cup runs from one long outright bet to a full card of markets on every match. Here is how each works, with the South African angle in mind.
The main markets
- Outright winner — one team to win the tournament; see the Rugby World Cup odds page.
- Match result — the winner of a single game, with a draw priced in the pool stage.
- Handicap — a points start or deficit to level mismatches; see handicap betting.
- Total points — over or under a line on the combined score; see over/under.
- First try scorer and top try scorer — player markets, the latter running the whole tournament.
- To qualify — in the knockouts, which team advances, including extra time.
A sensible approach
The pool stage throws up big mismatches, so the handicap and total-points markets often offer more value than backing a heavy favourite at short odds on the match result. An accumulator across pool favourites is popular but risky — one upset and it is gone. See the Rugby World Cup guide for the full picture and the Rugby World Cup predictions page for our take.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest Rugby World Cup bet to start with?
The match result — simply backing the winner of a single game. From there, the handicap and total points add value, especially in one-sided pool matches.
Can I bet during a World Cup match?
Yes. Live, in-play betting runs through each game at shifting odds, so you can back a comeback or a tightening margin as it happens.