R145 Million Jackpot Fuels Lottery Frenzy: What You Need to Know
South Africa’s PowerBall and PowerBall Plus jackpots have surged to a combined R145 million, sparking a wave of anticipation as players prepare for Tuesday’s draw on March 17, 2026. This follows fourteen consecutive draws without a winner, pushing the stakes to levels rivaling the record R232-million PowerBall win in February 2019.
Jackpot Breakdown: PowerBall vs. PowerBall Plus
The PowerBall jackpot currently stands at an impressive R100 million, while PowerBall Plus offers R45 million. Entry costs R5 per board for PowerBall and R2.50 for PowerBall Plus, totaling R7.50 for both. Players select five numbers from 1 to 50, and one PowerBall number from 1 to 20.
Friday’s Numbers: A Recap
For those who played on Friday, March 13, 2026, the winning numbers were:
- PowerBall Numbers: 01, 03, 27, 45, 50, PowerBall: 17
- PowerBall Plus Numbers: 09, 14, 23, 34, 36, PowerBall: 20
The Odds: Is Frequent Play Worth It?
Despite the allure of a massive payout, the odds of winning remain incredibly slim – a 1 in 42 310 200 chance for PowerBall. Experts emphasize that each draw is independent, meaning past results have no bearing on future outcomes. In fact, 99.9% of players don’t win.
Comparing to Other Lottery Games
Lotto and Lotto Plus 1 and 2 offer a R67 million jackpot tonight, costing R10 per board. The odds of winning the Lotto jackpot are slightly better, at 1 in 40 310 358. The average Lotto jackpot payout is R5.95 million, making Tuesday’s PowerBall and PowerBall Plus offering significantly higher.
Claiming Your Winnings: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you are fortunate enough to win, here’s how to claim your prize:
- You must have a winning ticket with the correct serial number.
- You must be 18 years of age or older.
- You must have a valid South African bank account (not older than three months).
- Winnings must be claimed within 365 days of the draw date.
Prizes up to R2,000 can be claimed at retail stores. Winnings between R10,000 and R49,999 require a visit to an Approved Prize Payment Centre (APPC). Amounts between R49,999 and R249,999 can be claimed via EFT through participating banks (except African Bank, which has a limit of R49,999). Anything exceeding R250,000 requires an in-person visit to an ITHUBA office.
Tickets for PowerBall and PowerBall Plus on Tuesday 17 March 2026 are available until 20:30, thirty minutes before the 21:00 draw. Purchase tickets at the National Lottery website, via the Mobile App, or at participating retailers.
FAQ
- What are the odds of winning the PowerBall jackpot? 1 in 42 310 200.
- How much does a PowerBall ticket cost? R5 per board for PowerBall and R2.50 for PowerBall Plus.
- Where can I claim my winnings? Depending on the amount, winnings can be claimed at retail stores, APPCs, or ITHUBA offices.
- What is the deadline for claiming winnings? Within 365 days of the draw date.
