PowerBall Fever: South Africans Eye R124 Million Jackpot Tonight

It’s not just another Friday night in South Africa, it’s the night someone could walk away with a life-changing R124 million. The PowerBall and PowerBall Plus jackpots have been rolling over for weeks, and after ten straight draws without a winner, excitement has reached a fever pitch.

A Record-Breaking Jackpot

Tuesday’s R114 million went untouched, which means tonight’s draw promises even bigger stakes. The jackpots stand at:

• PowerBall: R64 million

• PowerBall Plus: R60 million

Combined, that’s a staggering R124 million on the line. For perspective, that’s enough to buy a Cape Town mansion, a fleet of luxury cars, and still have millions left over to invest.

How South Africans Are Reacting

On social media, the buzz is undeniable. Twitter and Facebook are flooded with hopeful players posting their “lucky” numbers, while WhatsApp groups are circulating predictions and superstitions. Some say they’re buying tickets “just in case”, because who wants to wake up tomorrow and realize they missed their shot at being an instant millionaire?

Even among everyday conversations in taxis, workplaces, and shisa nyama spots, the talk of the town is the same: What would you do if you won R124 million?

How to Play PowerBall

If you’re new to the game, here’s how it works:

• Pick five numbers between 1 and 50.

• Add a PowerBall number between 1 and 20.

• Don’t feel like choosing? Opt for Quick Pick, and the system will generate numbers for you.

Tickets can be bought:

• At participating retailers.

• Via banking apps.

• Online.

Entries close at 8:30 pm on draw nights (Tuesday and Friday), with the draw happening just after 9 pm.

Daily Lotto: Smaller Stakes, Daily Chances

Not everyone chases the big jackpots. For some, the Daily Lotto offers smaller but more frequent wins. Draws take place every evening at 9:30 pm, and entries cost just R3. It’s a growing favourite for players who prefer daily excitement over the big twice-weekly PowerBall rush.

What Happens if You Win?

Winning isn’t just about getting lucky numbers, it also comes with a clear process:

• Under R250,000: If you played via your bank app, winnings are deposited straight into your account.

• Over R250,000: You’ll need to claim your prize directly from Ithuba.

• Over R50,000: Free financial and trauma counselling is offered to help winners adjust to their new reality.

Best of all, lottery winnings in South Africa are tax-free.

While jackpots bring excitement, they also highlight the cultural role of the lottery in South Africa. For many, buying a ticket is about hope, a chance to dream beyond the daily grind. Whether or not tonight produces a winner, the PowerBall remains one of the few shared national rituals that cut across class and culture.

As one fan put it on Twitter: “I don’t know if I’ll win, but it feels good to imagine a different life, even for a few hours.”

Tonight, just after 9 pm, South Africa will hold its breath as the numbers roll out. Whether the jackpot finally finds a home or rolls over again, one thing is certain, the PowerBall is more than just a game. It’s a national obsession, a spark of hope, and maybe, just maybe, someone’s ticket out of the ordinary.

{Source: The Citizen}

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