Rugby Union Predictions: Blockbuster Double Header Simply Cannot Be Missed

The eyes of the rugby union world will be focused on two huge International fixtures on Saturday, with South Africa vs New Zealand getting us underway before Argentina welcome Australia in the later contest.

Here, we preview Saturday’s action, focusing on the rugby union odds available at William Hill and hopefully it should be a thrilling spectacle for supporters this weekend. Without further ado, let’s get down to business.

South Africa v New Zealand Prediction

South Africa and New Zealand meet again in Cape Town on Saturday 29 August, with the rematch coming just a week after the All Blacks opened the series with a 33-16 win in Johannesburg.

That first Test told a clear story: New Zealand were sharper when the game opened up, while South Africa’s territory and scrum pressure were not enough to stop the visitors from finishing their chances.

The Springboks will want a cleaner attacking performance in front of their own crowd, because chasing the game against the All Blacks usually ends badly.

The betting market has New Zealand as the favourite at 2/5, with South Africa at 23/10 and the draw at 28/1.

That shape makes sense given the opening result, but a tighter contest feels more likely in Cape Town if South Africa can reduce the handling errors and get more out of their set-piece dominance.

Handre Pollard’s return at fly-half gives the Springboks a calmer game-management option, and Siya Kolisi is also back after recovering from a hamstring issue.

Those two names matter in a fixture like this, where composure under pressure often decides whether South Africa can turn field position into points.

New Zealand’s advantage is still their ability to stay clinical in the decisive moments. Will Jordan’s finishing was a major factor in the first Test, and the All Blacks looked comfortable absorbing pressure before striking back with real force.

If they reproduce that control, the away win remains the most straightforward angle.

For bettors, the 80-minute market is the obvious starting point, but this is also the kind of match where the handicap can offer a cleaner route into the game.

A closer second Test would not be a surprise, yet South Africa still need to prove they can convert good moments into scoreboard pressure against this opponent.

Argentina v Australia Prediction

Argentina host Australia on Saturday 29 August at Estadio 23 de Agosto in San Salvador de Jujuy, with kick-off set for 16:00 ART.

It is the first Test of a two-match series, and that home setting gives Los Pumas a genuine chance to make life awkward for a Wallabies side travelling across the southern hemisphere.

Australia have another trip to navigate after a packed 2026 schedule, while Argentina come into this series with the kind of home advantage that tends to matter when the margins are tight.

The key question is whether the Wallabies can settle early enough to stop the Pumas from turning the match into a territorial grind.

The match odds are not as one-sided as the big-name badge would suggest. Argentina are available at 6/4 in the half-time/full-time market for Argentina/Argentina, which hints at the possibility of a strong start in front of a home crowd.

If the Pumas get their breakdown work and kicking game right, Australia may spend long spells trying to chase territory.

That said, this fixture usually comes down to discipline and efficiency rather than flair. Australia will know they cannot afford sloppy exits or soft penalties, because Argentina are comfortable squeezing teams through pressure rather than chasing an open-field shootout.

The visitors’ path is simple enough: keep the game connected, win the collisions, and avoid gifting Los Pumas field position.

The safer betting angle is to respect the home edge without overcomplicating it. Argentina to make a fast start looks more attractive than trying to force a big-margin outcome either way, while the full-time market should suit anyone expecting a close one.

In a series opener like this, fine margins matter more than reputation.

Who Wins?

South Africa v New Zealand feels built around the All Blacks’ composure versus the Boks’ effort to turn home support into a response. The market leans New Zealand, but South Africa’s returning leaders make the rematch more interesting than the odds alone suggest.

Argentina v Australia looks narrower and more tactical, with Jujuy adding another layer to the home-side case.

If you prefer a straightforward view, Argentina in the early stages and New Zealand on the outright market are the two positions that stand out most clearly.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*