Johannesburg — January 20, 2026:
ITHUBA, operators of the South African National Lottery, have confirmed that a single lucky player scooped the PowerBall jackpot on Tuesday evening, becoming nearly R178 million richer.
The winning numbers for the draw were: PowerBall: 2, 3, 16, 17, 35 | Bonus Ball: 5.
This is one of the highest jackpots in South African lottery history, following other notable wins such as the mystery Capitec app user who won R65 million in the final 2025 Lotto draw and a retired Western Cape mother who won a R30 million Lotto Plus jackpot.
There were no winners for the PowerBall Plus draw, which now carries an estimated jackpot of R6 million for Friday, 23 January 2026. Meanwhile, the next PowerBall jackpot is estimated at R5 million. The PowerBall Plus numbers drawn were: 1, 5, 7, 15, 40 | Bonus Ball: 4.
For those who missed it, check out Saturday Lotto results for January 10 and follow NOWinSA Lotto coverage for all winning numbers and updates.
Did you miss previous big wins? One of the biggest PowerBall jackpots in 2025, R124 million, was claimed by a single ticket holder — read more here.
How to Play PowerBall in South Africa (Quick Guide)
Thinking of trying your luck? Here’s a simplified overview:
- PowerBall: Pick five numbers from 1 to 50 plus one PowerBall number from 1 to 20.
- Entry Costs: R5 per board. Add PowerBall Plus for an extra R2.50 per board for a second chance.
- Where to Play: At authorised retailers, on the official National Lottery website, via the National Lottery mobile app, through USSD (1207529#), or on selected banking apps including Capitec, FNB, Absa, Nedbank, Standard Bank, TymeBank, and African Bank.
- Draw Times: PowerBall draws occur every Tuesday and Friday at 9 PM. Ticket sales close at 8:30 PM.
- Verification: Always verify results on the official National Lottery website for confirmation.
What Happens After a Big Win?
- Winnings over R50,000 must be claimed at an Ithuba regional office.
- All major wins undergo a mandatory 48-hour validation process for security.
- Winners receive free financial and trauma counselling, helping new millionaires manage sudden wealth responsibly.
Play Responsibly:
- Set a budget, play for fun, and never chase losses.
- Participants must be 18 years or older. ITHUBA is the proud operator of the National Lottery.
Related Reads:
- Playtech LottoStar targets South Africa’s R80 billion market
- Lottery lies? Ithuba proves winners aren’t just from Absa & FNB
Players must be 18 years or older. Play responsibly. ITHUBA operates the National Lottery.
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