Sportstake 13 and 8
Sportstake is the South African soccer pools game from the National Lottery. You predict the result of a list of matches, win, draw or lose, and win a share of the prize pool if you get enough right. There are two games: Sportstake 13, where you call 13 matches, and Sportstake 8, where you call 8. This guide explains how each one works, how to play, and where to play.
How to playSportstake is run by the National Lottery operator Ithuba. It is a pools game, not a fixed-odds bet, so your prize depends on how many other players also got their picks right. The more matches you call correctly, the higher the division you win. For other Ithuba games, see our Daily Lotto results and PowerBall results. For fixed odds on single matches, see SA sportsbooks.
How to play Sportstake
- Pick the game: Sportstake 13 for 13 matches, or Sportstake 8 for 8 matches.
- For each match on the fixture list, choose the result: 1 for a home win, X for a draw, or 2 for an away win.
- Pay for your board. Play more boards or use a Quick Pick for random picks.
- Enter before the cut-off, which is before the first match on the list kicks off.
- Keep your ticket or online slip safe. You need it to claim a prize.
Good to know. Sportstake is a pool game. Players who get enough results right share the prize pool for that division, so the amount you win changes from round to round and is not fixed in advance. Board prices can change, so check the current price on the National Lottery before you play.
Sportstake 13 vs Sportstake 8
The two games work the same way. The difference is how many matches you call and how hard it is to win the top prize.
| Game | Matches you predict | Pick per match |
|---|---|---|
| Sportstake 13 | 13 matches | 1, X or 2 |
| Sportstake 8 | 8 matches | 1, X or 2 |
Sportstake 13 has more matches, so the top division is harder to hit but the prize pool can be bigger. Sportstake 8 is shorter, so it is a simpler entry. Both pay out across divisions, so you can still win without calling every match right.
How Sportstake prizes work
You do not have to get every match right to win. Sportstake pays across several divisions based on how many correct results you have. On Sportstake 13, for example, there are prizes for getting the top tiers of matches right, not just all 13. The exact number of correct picks needed for each division is set by the National Lottery and shown on your ticket and on the official site.
Because it is a pool, the prize per division is split between everyone who reached that division in the same round. A round with fewer winners pays more per winner.
Where to play Sportstake
Sportstake is a National Lottery game, so you play the real game through Ithuba.
- In store at any National Lottery retailer.
- On the official National Lottery website or app.
- Through some banking apps that offer National Lottery games.
You must be a registered South African player aged 18 or older. Sportstake is a pools game on listed fixtures, so it is not offered by the Lucky Numbers bookmakers that cover Lotto and PowerBall draws. If you would rather bet fixed odds on single matches, a licensed sportsbook is the alternative. Compare options on our best SA sportsbooks page, or read how betting odds work first.
Sportstake 13 results, fixtures and tips
The Sportstake 13 fixture list and the Sportstake 13 results are set by the National Lottery for each round. The fixtures are the matches you predict, and they change every round, so check the current Sportstake 13 fixtures on the official National Lottery site or app before the cut-off. After the matches are played, the Sportstake 13 results show which of your 1, X or 2 picks came in and which division you reached.
Back the same matches with fixed odds →
Sportstake 13 tips
Sportstake is a pool, so the aim is to be right more often than the crowd, not just to back favourites. A few honest tips:
- Read the form, not the name. A big club resting players can drop points, so check team news before you lock a 1.
- Do not skip the draw. The X is the pick most players avoid, so calling a likely draw can lift you above the field.
- Spread your boards. If two or three matches are close to call, play more than one board with different results rather than guessing once.
- Set a budget first. More boards mean more chances but more cost. Never spend more than you can afford to lose.
Sportstake 8 works the same way with 8 matches instead of 13, so the same tips apply on a shorter list.
Sportstake FAQ
What is Sportstake?
Sportstake is the South African soccer pools game from the National Lottery operator Ithuba. You predict the result, home win, draw or away win, for a list of matches, and win a share of the prize pool if you get enough right.
What is the difference between Sportstake 13 and Sportstake 8?
Sportstake 13 asks you to predict 13 matches; Sportstake 8 asks you to predict 8. Both use the same 1, X or 2 picks and both pay across divisions. Sportstake 8 is the shorter, simpler entry.
How do you win Sportstake?
You win by correctly predicting enough match results. There are several prize divisions, so you can win without calling every match right. The prize for each division is shared between all the players who reached it that round.
How much does Sportstake cost?
Sportstake has a low fixed price per board, and you can play more than one board. Prices can change, so check the current board price on the National Lottery before you play.
Where can I play Sportstake?
At National Lottery retailers, on the official National Lottery website or app, and through some banking apps. You must be a registered SA player aged 18 or older.
Can I bet on Sportstake with a bookmaker?
No. Sportstake is a National Lottery pools game on listed fixtures, not a number draw, so Lucky Numbers bookmakers do not offer it. For fixed odds on single matches, use a licensed sportsbook instead.
18+. Gambling can be addictive. Play responsibly. NRGP 0800 006 008. Sportstake is run by Ithuba, the National Lottery operator. iGaming Reviews is independent and is not the National Lottery. Sportsbook links may earn us a commission when you sign up through them.
