Rugby Betting Guide: Rugby Betting Terms Explained for Beginners

If you’re new to the world of sports betting, terms like handicap betting, first try scorer, winning margin, and half-time/full-time might seem confusing at first. The good news though? These terms are much easier to understand than you might think.  

In fact, once you understand these terms, the world of rugby becomes more exciting. Understanding the rugby betting markets makes your betting experience far more enjoyable when watching the Springboks, or following the United Rugby Championship or the Nations Championship.  

In this guide, we’ll explore the common rugby betting terms you’ll need to know before placing your first bet.  

Rugby Betting Basics 

Before we jump into specific betting markets, it’s important to understand the basics of rugby betting.  

A sportsbook offers odds on a wide variety of outcomes during a rugby match. All you need to do is select the market you want to bet on and decide how much you want to stake. If your prediction is right, then your winnings are calculated on the odds at the time you placed your bet.  

Rugby offers dozens of exciting betting markets. The more familiar you are with the markets, the easier it will become to bet during or before the game.  

Match Winner Betting  

This is the simplest and most popular betting market, especially for beginners. All you do is predict which team will win the match. For example, in Saturday’s Nations Championship match, we’ve predicted the Springboks to beat Scotland.  

This prediction is based on team form, injuries, home advantage, and recent performances. In this sense, match winner betting allows you to focus on these aspects of the game without worrying about more complicated betting markets.  

Something to note is some competitions allow you to bet on a draw. But this is relatively uncommon in rugby union due to the competitive nature of the games.  

Handicap Betting Explained 

In most rugby matches, there’s a clear favourite to win. But rather than offering very low odds on the stronger team to simply win, a points handicap is applied to make the contest more balanced.  

For example, you’ve backed the Springboks –12.5. This means that they must win by 13 points or more for your bet to be successful. If you’ve backed Italy +12.5, your bet wins if they win, draw, or lose the match by 12 points or less.  

From this example, we can see that handicap betting offers better value than backing a heavy favourite at low odds. It’s especially popular in international rugby where mismatches can occur and lower ranked teams play higher ranked teams.  

Winning Margin Betting 

Instead of selecting a winner, winning margin betting is about predicting how many points a team will win by.  

Common winning margin options include: 

• 1-7 points 

• 8-14 points 

• 15-20 points 

• 21+ points 

This market is useful when you are unsure about what the final score will be, but you back a certain team to dominate. For example, if you back the Springboks in Saturdays match to beat Scotland by 21+ points and they win 38-10, you win your bet.  

First Try Scorer Betting 

Very few betting markets are as exciting as trying to predict the first try scorer of the match. As there can only be one first try scorer, the odds are usually higher than those of match winner betting.  

When choosing a first try scorer, think about the players’ recent try-scoring form, team selection, weather conditions, set-piece dominance, and opposition defensive weaknesses. Here, wingers and outside centres are usually popular choices. But keep an eye out for powerful forwards who frequently score from lineouts close to the line.  

Anytime Try Scorer Betting  

Unlike first try scorer betting, anytime try scorer betting allows you to pick a player who you think will score at any time during the match. Here, it doesn’t matter when they score so long as they score.  

You are normally better off in this market than first try scorer, but the odds will still be attractive.  

Good options in this market are usually players who do attacking move regularly such as Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Malcolm Marx.  

Correct Score Betting 

Correct score betting is exactly what it sounds like. It’s all about predicting the exact final score of the match. As this is a difficult prediction to make, higher odds are usually offered. So, while it’s one of the more difficult markets to predict, the payouts can be massive.  

To successfully predict the correct score, a good understand of the following is needed: 

• Team attacking strength 

• Defensive records 

• Goal-kicking accuracy 

• Expected weather conditions 

• Historical head-to-head results 

Half-Time/Full-Time Betting  

The half-time/full-time betting market is where you bet on who will lead during the first half and then who will go on and win after the full 80 minutes.  

This is the market for people who know how teams manage different stages within a match. Some teams start strong and fade stronger. Other teams are known for their strong finish thanks to their fitness levels or stronger replacement benches.  

Live Betting During Rugby Matches  

Live betting, or in-play betting, allows you to place bets once the match has already started. For rugby, this is a popular option because of the constant shifts in momentum throughout the game.  

A card, injury, or tactical substitution can drastically change the flow of the match and create new betting opportunities.  

Common Betting Mistakes 

Mistakes are part of the learning curve for every bettor. But knowing the most common betting mistakes can help save you money and avoid frustration.  

Betting with Your Heart 

We all love to support our favourite team, but our love for the team shouldn’t influence every betting decision. Being successful in betting means that you need to remain objective and consider the form and team they are playing. You shouldn’t make a rash or emotional decision.  

Ignoring Team News 

Team announcements can influence betting markets. A late injury to a fly-half or captain can dramatically change the team’s chances of winning. So, you should always check the confirmed team lists before placing your bets.  

Chasing losses 

One of the biggest beginner errors is increasing the stake after losing a bet. Trying to recover previous losses often leads to even bigger losses. For this reason, successful bettors stick to a budget and avoid emotional decisions.  

Only Betting on Favourites 

While favourites win often, their win is not always guaranteed. Sometimes the betting value lies in handicap markets, winning margin bets, or player markets.  

Not Understanding the Betting Market 

Don’t place a bet unless you fully understand how the market works. Learn the betting rules before waging your bet. This can help build confidence and reduce costly mistakes.  

Bet on Rugby with Bet.co.za 

So, welcome to the world of rugby betting. Every market helps you enjoy rugby more while putting your knowledge to the test. Here, understanding how each market works and recognising where the best value lies are key for making smarter decisions.  

For all your rugby betting needs, Bet.co.za has you covered. Begin your rugby betting journey today by betting on rugby now.  

Remember to always bet responsibly, stay within your budget, and focus on long-term enjoyment over chasing quick wins.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What is handicap betting in rugby? 

Handicap betting gives one team a points advantage or disadvantage to make the odds more competitive. For example, if the Springboks are backed at –12.5, they must win by at least 13 points for your bet to be successful.  

Can I bet on individual players in rugby? 

Yes. Bet.co.za offers first try scorer and anytime try scorer.  

Is live betting better than pre-match betting?  

Neither is better; it’s all dependent on your betting style. Pre-match betting allows you to thoroughly research teams before kickoff. In-game betting lets you react to the action as the match unfolds and take advantage of changing odds.  

What’s the easiest betting market for beginners? 

Match winner betting is the easiest betting market for beginners. You simply predict which team will win the game.