PowerBall Rules & Odds Explained: Everything SA Players Need to Know

PowerBall is South Africa's biggest jackpot game. Draws happen every Tuesday and Friday at 21:00 SAST, with jackpots that regularly exceed R30 million and have reached over R232 million.

How to play

Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 50, plus 1 PowerBall number from 1 to 20. A single board costs R5. You can add PowerBall Plus for an extra R5 — same numbers, separate draw, guaranteed R10 million starting jackpot.

Prize divisions and odds

• Division 1: Match 5 + PowerBall — 1 in 42,375,200 (Jackpot)
• Division 2: Match 5 — 1 in 2,118,760
• Division 3: Match 4 + PowerBall — 1 in 188,178
• Division 4: Match 4 — 1 in 9,409
• Division 5: Match 3 + PowerBall — 1 in 4,280
• Division 6: Match 3 — 1 in 220
• Division 7: Match 2 + PowerBall — 1 in 150 (fixed R15)
• Division 8: Match 1 + PowerBall — 1 in 50 (fixed R10)
• Division 9: PowerBall only — 1 in 35 (fixed R10)

Why PowerBall jackpots grow so big

PowerBall jackpots are parimutuel — they come from ticket sales. The odds of winning Division 1 are about 1 in 42 million, which means jackpots roll over frequently. Each rollover adds to the next draw's jackpot, creating massive prize pools.

PowerBall vs SA Lotto

SA Lotto has better odds of winning Division 1 (1 in 20 million vs 1 in 42 million for PowerBall), but PowerBall jackpots are typically much larger. Choose based on whether you prefer better odds (Lotto) or bigger prizes (PowerBall).