R135 Million PowerBall & PowerBall Plus: Friday 13 March 2026 Draw & Odds

PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Jackpot Climbs to R135 Million for Friday the 13th

A substantial jackpot of R135 million is up for grabs in this Friday’s PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draw, marking the thirteenth consecutive rollover. The growing prize pool is attracting attention as Friday the 13th approaches, a date often associated with both luck and superstition. Tuesday’s draw failed to produce a winner, adding R124 million to the pot and pushing the total winnings to R135 million, nearing the R179-million payout seen in January.

The combined winnings for Friday, March 13, 2026, are split between R93 million for PowerBall and R42 million for PowerBall Plus. While some cultures view the number 13 as unlucky, it holds positive connotations in many Asian traditions, and even Western gamblers aren’t averse to betting on it.

Tuesday’s Numbers and Odds

For those reviewing the previous draw, the PowerBall numbers from Tuesday, March 10, 2026, were 01, 05, 13, 20, and 25, with a PowerBall of 14. The PowerBall Plus numbers were 02, 23, 27, 32, and 49, with a PowerBall of 11.

Despite the allure of a large jackpot, the odds of winning remain significant. Each board costs R5.00 for the main draw and R2.50 for PowerBall Plus, totaling R7.50. This equates to a 1 in 42,310,200 chance of winning the PowerBall jackpot. The average PowerBall jackpot payout is around R22 million, making the current R135 million prize particularly noteworthy.

How the Lottery Works and What’s Changing

The National Lottery is undergoing a transition, with ITHUBA handing over operations to Sizekhaya Holdings in June 2026. However, for the March 13th draw, the process remains the same. Tickets can be purchased until 8:30 PM on Friday, with the draw commencing at 9:00 PM. Players can acquire tickets through the National Lottery website, the mobile app, or at participating retailers.

To participate, players select five numbers from 1 to 50 and one PowerBall number from 1 to 20. The structure of the game is relatively straightforward, but the odds highlight the inherent challenge of winning. It’s important to remember that each draw is independent; previous results do not influence future outcomes, and, statistically, the lottery operator retains the vast majority of the money wagered – around 99.9% of the time.

Comparing PowerBall to Other Lottery Games

The Lotto and Lotto Plus games offer a different prize structure. Currently, a combined R63.5 million is available in those draws. These games require players to select six numbers from 1 to 58, offering slightly better odds of winning the jackpot – 1 in 40,310,358. However, the average jackpot payout for Lotto is significantly lower, at approximately R5.95 million. This makes the current PowerBall jackpot particularly attractive in comparison.

Claiming Your Winnings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Should you be fortunate enough to win, the claiming process varies depending on the amount. Retail stores can pay out winnings up to R2,000. Amounts between R10,000 and R49,999 must be claimed at an Approved Prize Payment Centre (APPC). Winnings from R49,999 to R249,999 can be claimed via EFT through participating banks (with African Bank limited to R49,999). Any prize exceeding R250,000 requires an in-person visit to an ITHUBA office.

To claim a prize, you’ll need a winning ticket with the correct serial number, proof of identity, a valid South African bank account (no older than three months), and must claim the prize within 365 days of the draw date.

Historical Context and Record Payouts

The current R135 million jackpot is substantial, but it doesn’t reach the record payout of R232,131,750 awarded in February 2019. This demonstrates the potential for even larger prizes, whereas such occurrences are rare. The lottery continues to be a popular form of entertainment in South Africa, with millions of players hoping to strike it lucky.

With just six numbers separating players from a potential R135 million windfall, Friday’s PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draw promises to be a significant event.