Slim jackpots but big dreams: PowerBall and PowerBall Plus this Friday

For thrill-seekers and dreamers, Friday 27 March 2026 brings a modest but still tempting PowerBall and PowerBall Plus jackpot of R59 million. While it’s not the record-shattering sums seen earlier this year like the R108 million win last weekend or January’s R179 million jackpot it’s enough to get South Africans lining up for a shot at life-changing luck.

Friday’s jackpot breakdown

This Friday, the totals are simple:

• PowerBall: R54 million
• PowerBall Plus: R5 million
• Combined total: R59 million

After a weekend winner reset the PowerBall to R5 million, the jackpots have essentially paused their growth. Still, for anyone hoping to snag a win, the numbers remain substantial roughly double the average PowerBall payout of R22 million.

Tuesday 24 March 2026: Last draw numbers

Before placing your bets, here’s a quick look back at the most recent draw:

PowerBall numbers: 11, 13, 19, 22, 39
PowerBall: 01

PowerBall Plus numbers: 07, 15, 19, 31, 44
PowerBall: 20

Remember, each draw is independent the lottery has no memory. Whether it’s your first board or your fiftieth, the odds remain the same: about 1 in 42 310 200 to hit the jackpot.

How to play this Friday

It’s simple:

1. Pick five numbers from 1 to 50
2. Select one PowerBall number from 1 to 20
3. Cost: R5 per board, plus R2.50 for PowerBall Plus

You can enter:

• Online via the National Lottery website
• Through the Mobile App
• At participating retail outlets

Tickets are available until 20:30, just half an hour before the 21:00 draw.

Bigger odds elsewhere: Lotto and Lotto Plus

If you’re feeling strategic, consider also playing Lotto and Lotto Plus 1 and 2 tonight, where a combined R74 million is up for grabs. These draws let you pick six numbers from 1–58, offering slightly better odds (1 in 40 310 358) compared with PowerBall, and historically, the average jackpot payout is around R5.95 million nearly twelve times higher than usual.

Claiming your winnings

Should fortune smile upon you, here’s what you need to know:

• Be 18 or older and have valid ID
• Present the winning ticket or approved SMS/email confirmation
• Winnings must be claimed within 365 days of the draw
• Retail payouts: Up to R2 000
• APPC claims: R10 000 – R49 999
• Bank EFT: R49 999 – R249 999 (except African Bank max R49 999)
• High-value claims: Over R250 000 must be claimed in-person at an ITHUBA office

The year so far

2026 has already been a rollercoaster for the National Lottery and its players. With record jackpots early in the year and a series of PowerBall rollovers, the excitement has been palpable. Friday’s R59 million may not break records, but it’s enough to spark daydreams, soften the blow of April’s looming fuel price hike, and remind everyone that life-changing luck could be just one ticket away.

Pro tip: Play responsibly. Remember, the lottery is 99.9% in favour of the house, but that doesn’t stop us from dreaming.

{Source: The South African}

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