That’s correct, PowerBall and PowerBall Plus on Friday 8 May 2026 jumps up to a substantial R155 million. And with only a handful of draws left under ITHUBA’s control, this might be one of the last big Powerball jackpots to be paid out …
Nevertheless, PowerBall and PowerBall Plus on Friday 8 May 2026 gets to where it is by combining R72 million for the main PowerBall and R83 million for the extra-spend PowerBall Plus. Don’t forget, ITHUBA reminds all players that it is closing up shop on 31 May 2026, as national lottery operator changes hands to Sizekhaya Holdings on 1 June 2026.
POWERBALL AND POWERBALL PLUS ON FRIDAY 8 MAY 2026
As ever, let us quickly look back to the winless PowerBall from Tuesday 5 May 2026 and double-check those numbers:
TUESDAY’S POWERBALL NUMBERS
Draw date: 5 May 2026
POWERBALL NUMBERS
01, 04, 05, 22, 28
PowerBall: 05
POWERBALL PLUS NUMBERS
19, 37, 39, 40, 45
PowerBall: 03
Check out all previous PowerBall results HERE.
R155-MILLION POWERBALL AND POWERBALL PLUS ON FRIDAY 8 MAY 2026
For those first-time players of PowerBall and PowerBall Plus on Friday 8 May 2026, each entry costs you R5. Critically, adding the PowerBall Plus for just R2.50 gives you that extra chance to win – R83 million. So it is unarguably the best money you can spend for maximum winning potential.
You choose five numbers between 1 and 50, plus one PowerBall from 1 to 20. Typically, you can select your own numbers manually or use an auto-generated Quick Pick, and there are fascinating insights into which breeds more wins. Winners of the big jackpot must match all five main numbers … plus the PowerBall.
WILL YOU WIN POWERBALL AND POWERBALL PLUS ON FRIDAY 8 MAY 2026?
Of course, you can purchase tickets in-store at any licensed retailer. Alternatively, you can enter digitally through banking apps from FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Absa and Capitec. Or with an ITHUBA online account. As mentioned, all accounts close on 31 May 2026 before the switch to Sizekhaya. Ticket sales close at 20:30 on draw days.
As ever, in this economy, playing the lottery must be carefully calculated. For PowerBall and PowerBall Plus on Friday 8 May 2026, your odds of winning will be 1 in 42 375 200. So, the house wins 99.9% of the time and you should not rely only on gaming as the only way to sustain yourself. The last big lotto winner purchased a ticket at a Checkers Hyper.
POWERBALL IS THE HIGHEST-PAYING GAME IN SOUTH AFRICA
And don’t forget, after the R100-million win this week, the ‘smaller’ Lotto and Lotto Plus more or less resets to zero at the moment. That game differs slightly in that Lotto needs you to choose six numbers from 1-58, giving you slightly better odds at 1 in 40 310 358.
Nevertheless, statistics dictate that average PowerBall payouts are around R20 million. So, the R179 million won back in January 2026 was way above average. As is this week’s R155 million.
If and when you win, here’s how you claim prize money quickly and conveniently:
- Produce the winning ticket with the correct serial number/winning SMS/email confirmation.
- No under 18s can win
- Hold a valid proof of identity.
- Have a valid South African bank account (not older than three months).
- Winnings must be claimed within 365 days of the date of the draw.
Likewise, depending on how much money you’ve won, your winnings can be claimed from like so:
- Retail stores pay out up to R2 000.
- Winnings of R10 000 to R49 999 must be claimed at an Approved Prize Payment Centre (APPC).
- From there, all participating banks will pay between R49 999 to R249 999 via EFT (except African Bank at only R49 999).
- For anything higher than R250 000, you must report in-person to an ITHUBA office.
