Lions

18 - 26

Full Time

Benetton

Benetton vs Lions

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Kevin Bralley has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

This is dangerous for the defence as Louis Lynagh bursts through to advance the Benetton Rugby attack.

80'

Drop Goal

Tomas Albornoz adds the three points for Benetton Rugby.

78'

The ball swings towards the posts but floats to the right, Tomas Albornoz will have to re-adjust the radar.

75'

Try

Leonardo Marin scores the try from close range.

74'

A gap opened in the defence and Leonardo Marin took full advantage.

74'

Tomas Albornoz played a key part in that try.

74'

A gap opened in the defence and Ignacio Mendy took full advantage.

73'

Benetton Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Michele Lamaro getting some game time.

73'

Benetton Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Manuel Zuliani being replaced.

73'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Richard Kriel getting some game time.

71'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Eduan Keyter being replaced.

71'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Gianni Lombard getting some game time.

71'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Chris William Smith being replaced.

71'

Conversion

Tomas Albornoz has kicked a conversion.

71'

Try

A bit of individual brilliance by Leonardo Marin leads to a try for Benetton Rugby

70'

A gap opened in the defence and Leonardo Marin took full advantage.

70'

That's a great try assist by So'otala Fa'aso'o.

70'

A gap opened in the defence and Federico Ruzza took full advantage.

69'

Yellow Card

Kelly Mpeku (Lions) is shown a yellow card

67'

Lions make a substitution with Darrien-Lane Landsberg coming on.

66'

Lions make a substitution with Etienne Oosthuizen coming off.

66'

Lions make a substitution with Eddie Davids coming on.

66'

Lions make a substitution with SJ Kotze coming off.

66'

The defensive line has been broken as Eduan Keyter goes through the gap.

65'

Lions sub Nico Steyn comes onto the field.

62'

Morne van den Berg departs for Lions.

62'

Penalty Goal

Tomas Albornoz adds the points for Benetton Rugby.

59'

Federico Ruzza comes on for Benetton Rugby.

59'

Eli Snyman leaves the field.

59'

So'otala Fa'aso'o comes on for Benetton Rugby.

59'

Michele Lamaro leaves the field.

59'

Renzo Du Plessis comes on for Lions.

58'

Ruan Venter leaves the field.

58'

Tomas Albornoz comes on for Benetton Rugby.

58'

Jacob Umaga leaves the field.

58'

Alessandro Garbisi comes on for Benetton Rugby.

58'

Andy Uren leaves the field.

58'

Riccardo Favretto comes on for Benetton Rugby.

57'

Niccolo Cannone leaves the field.

57'

Penalty Goal

Chris William Smith adds the points for Lions.

56'

Jacob Umaga was unlucky to have missed the penalty after the ball hit the right post.

54'

Giosue Zilocchi comes on.

50'

Simone Ferrari comes off.

50'

Mirco Spagnolo comes on.

50'

Thomas Gallo comes off.

50'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with RF Schoeman getting some game time.

47'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Asenathi Ntlabakanye being replaced.

47'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Morne Brandon getting some game time.

47'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Franco Marais being replaced.

47'

Benetton Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Nicholas Gasperini getting some game time.

46'

Benetton Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Bautista Bernasconi being replaced.

46'

Chris William Smith has hooked the conversion to the left of the posts.

45'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Ruan Venter dots the ball down from close range.

44'

Spellbinding play by Morne van den Berg is finished off with a try.

44'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Conversion

Chris William Smith does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

37'

Try

A perfectly weighted kick allows Kelly Mpeku to score the try.

36'

Fabulous play by Lions has led to Kelly Mpeku being able to wriggle through a gap.

36'

That's a great try assist by Quan Horn.

36'

Trouble here as Louis Lynagh breaches the defence.

31'

Chris William Smith takes the penalty but the ball didn't come round, staying right of the posts.

24'

Benetton Rugby sub Michele Lamaro comes onto the field.

13'

So'otala Fa'aso'o departs for Benetton Rugby.

13'

Penalty Goal

Jacob Umaga makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

12'

A gap opened in the defence and Leonardo Marin took full advantage.

10'

Penalty Goal

Chris William Smith kicks the penalty.

Jacob Umaga has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

Try

Great hands by Benetton Rugby leads to a try for Rhyno Smith

The defensive line has been broken as Rhyno Smith goes through the gap.

That's a great try assist by Jacob Umaga.

So'otala Fa'aso'o comes on.

Michele Lamaro comes off.

We are underway as the referee Kevin Bralley blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Lions v Benetton 
  
 Round 1 
  
 Sat 6th December 2025, 05:00am PST 
  
 Ellis Park 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Kevin Bralley

Points Flow Chart

Benetton win +8

Time in lead

Mins in lead

44%

% Of Game In Lead

48%

37%

Possession Last 10 min

63%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Albornoz

78'

18 - 26

Marin

74'

18 - 23

Albornoz

71'

18 - 18

Marin

70'

18 - 16

Mpeku

18 - 11

67'

Albornoz

59'

18 - 11

Smith

18 - 8

56'

Venter

15 - 8

44'

Half Time

Smith

10 - 8

37'

Mpeku

8 - 8

36'

Umaga

12'

3 - 8

Smith

3 - 5

Smith

0 - 5

Start

Win Probability

Lions

61%

Draw

Benetton

38%

Line Break by Louis Lynagh

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.4

Entries

Attack Profile

Lions

Benetton

More Less

Defence Profile

Lions

Benetton

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

48%

52%

3-6 secs

36%

21%

6+ secs

16%

27%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

58'

62'

64'

67'

Lions

Benetton

Lions vs Benetton Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Lions face off against Benetton in Challenge Cup Round 1 on Sat 6th December 2025 at Ellis Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 13:00. In South Africa it’s at 15:00 SAST, 02:00 NZST in New Zealand, 00:00 AEST in Australia and 05:00 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

Benetton won the last encounter but Lions are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 5 places in the league table with Benetton in 1st and Lions in 6th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Lions vs Benetton Squads

The official squads for Lions vs Benetton will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.