A single PowerBall ticket has changed one South African life forever.
ITHUBA confirmed that one player scooped a staggering R178,955,240.90 PowerBall jackpot, officially making it the second-largest National Lottery win in South African history. The draw took place on Tuesday, Ja 20, nuary 2026, and the winner has yet to come forward publicly.
According to the operator, the ticket was purchased for just R15 via the FNB banking app, using a Quick Pick selection — turning a modest wager into a generational fortune.
NOWinSA previously reported on the record-breaking moment when the jackpot was confirmed as won, marking a defining milestone in the country’s lottery history:
👉 PowerBall record broken: R178 million jackpot won in South Africa
The confirmed facts about the R178.9 million PowerBall win
Here is everything officially verified so far:
- Draw date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Winning numbers: 2, 3, 16, 17, 35
- PowerBall: 5
- Ticket cost: R15
- Method of play: Quick Pick via the FNB banking app
- Winner: Not publicly identified
- Prize amount: R178,955,240.90
Because the ticket was purchased through a banking platform, the bank initiates contact with the winner directly, after which the prize must be claimed in person at an Ithuba head office.
ITHUBA has confirmed that winners have 365 days to claim their prize.
Why the winner may not have come forward yet
ITHUBA officials say delays are not unusual with jackpots of this size. Past winners have hesitated due to fear of scams, shock, or the emotional weight of sudden wealth.
To support winners, Ithuba provides:
- Free financial counselling
- Free trauma and psychological support
- Secure, tax-free payout directly into a verified bank account
All South African lottery winnings are tax-free.
Second-largest jackpot in South African lottery history
The R178.9 million win now ranks among the biggest ever:
- R232 million — February 2019 (Cape Town)
- R178.9 million — January 2026 (FNB banking app)
- R167 million — February 2022 (KwaZulu-Natal)
The scale of the win once again highlights how digital platforms have become a major channel for lottery play — echoing previous app-based wins such as the mystery Capitec user who claimed R65 million in the final Lotto draw of 2025:
👉 Mystery Capitec app user wins R65 million in final 2025 Lotto draw
Public scrutiny and transparency
As with previous major wins, the jackpot has reignited online debate about lottery transparency. ITHUBA has consistently rejected claims that winners are fabricated, releasing evidence showing payouts across banks and regions.
👉 Lottery lies? Ithuba releases proof winners aren’t just from Absa & FNB
Players are always advised to verify results only via official channels:
👉 National Lottery website
What happens next for the PowerBall jackpot
With the jackpot now claimed, the PowerBall prize pool has reset, while attention turns to upcoming draws and recent Lotto results, including Tuesday’s winning numbers:
👉 Latest Lotto and Lotto Plus results
The win also lands amid broader changes in South Africa’s lottery landscape, with a new tender administrator expected to take over after Ithuba once legal processes conclude:
👉 South Africans face lottery blackout after court blocks licence extension
Final word
For now, the identity of South Africa’s newest multimillionaire remains a mystery. But one fact is beyond dispute: a single R15 decision has rewritten a life — and etched itself into the country’s lottery history.
As officials continue urging the winner to come forward, the rest of the country is left asking the same question:
If it were you — would you take the call?
