Lions

17 - 52

Full Time

Bulls

Bulls vs Lions

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

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

81'

Conversion

Chris William Smith converts the try.

81'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Lions is finished off by Bronson Mills

80'

This is dangerous for the defence as Bronson Mills bursts through to advance the Lions attack.

80'

Darrien-Lane Landsberg sets up the try.

80'

Conversion

Keagan Johannes has kicked a conversion.

78'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Bulls is finished off by Keagan Johannes

77'

Spellbinding play by Embrose Papier is finished off with a try.

77'

This is dangerous for the defence as Embrose Papier bursts through to advance the Bulls attack.

77'

Bulls go for goal with Handre Pollard taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

75'

Try

A series of passes by Bulls results in a try for Mpilo Gumede

74'

Kurt-Lee Arendse played a key part in that try.

74'

A gap opened in the defence and Kurt-Lee Arendse took full advantage.

74'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Mpilo Gumede getting some game time.

73'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Jeandre Rudolph being replaced.

73'

Bulls make a substitution with Keagan Johannes coming on.

69'

Bulls make a substitution with Harold Vorster coming off.

69'

Conversion

The Bulls supporters go wild as Handre Pollard successfully kicks the conversion.

66'

Try

Great hands by Bulls leads to a try for Embrose Papier

65'

The defensive line has been broken as Embrose Papier goes through the gap.

65'

David Kriel sets up the try.

65'

Lions sub Haashim Pead comes onto the field.

63'

Morne van den Berg departs for Lions.

63'

Lions sub Erich Cronje comes onto the field.

61'

Henco van Wyk departs for Lions.

61'

Lions sub Renzo Du Plessis comes onto the field.

60'

Jarod Cairns departs for Lions.

60'

Bulls sub David Kriel comes onto the field.

60'

Devon Williams departs for Bulls.

60'

The defensive line has been broken as Jarod Cairns goes through the gap.

58'

The defensive line has been broken as Jeandre Rudolph goes through the gap.

58'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Handre Pollard kicks the conversion.

55'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Harold Vorster from scoring as they record the try for Bulls.

54'

What a run here by Stravino Jacobs as they get over the gainline!

54'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Conraad van Vuuren getting some game time.

48'

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

48'

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

48'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with SJ Kotze being replaced.

48'

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

48'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with PJ Botha being replaced.

48'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Nizaam Carr getting some game time.

48'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Elrigh Louw being replaced.

48'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Cobus Wiese getting some game time.

45'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Ruan Vermaak being replaced.

45'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Marco van Staden getting some game time.

45'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Marcell Coetzee being replaced.

45'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Mornay Smith getting some game time.

45'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Wilco Louw being replaced.

45'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Alulutho Tshakweni getting some game time.

45'

Bulls decide to make a substitution, with Jan-Hendrik Wessels being replaced.

45'

Conversion

Chris William Smith adds the two points for Lions.

45'

Try

Slick passing by Lions leads to a try for Morne van den Berg.

44'

Morne van den Berg makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

44'

Spellbinding play by Francke Horn is finished off with a try.

44'

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

43'

Lions make a substitution with Reinhard Nothnagel coming off.

43'

Lions make a substitution with Etienne Oosthuizen coming on.

43'

Lions make a substitution with Ruben Schoeman coming off.

43'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

40'

Conversion

Handre Pollard adds the two points for Bulls.

40'

Try

Incisive passing by Bulls is finished off by Kurt-Lee Arendse, as they goes over for the try.

39'

That's a great try assist by Embrose Papier.

39'

Fabulous play by Bulls has led to Stedman Gans being able to wriggle through a gap.

39'

Conversion

Handre Pollard does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

38'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for Bulls as Handre Pollard goes over.

37'

That's a great try assist by Marcell Coetzee.

37'

Fabulous play by Bulls has led to Elrigh Louw being able to wriggle through a gap.

36'

Bulls go for goal with Handre Pollard taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

32'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Johan Grobbelaar scores from close range.

31'

Trouble here as Francke Horn breaches the defence.

26'

This is dangerous for the defence as Ruan Vermaak bursts through to advance the Bulls attack.

24'

Penalty Goal

Chris William Smith adds the points for Lions.

22'

Yellow Card

Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls) is shown a yellow card

15'

A gap opened in the defence and Harold Vorster took full advantage.

11'

Conversion

Handre Pollard converts the try.

10'

Try

Harold Vorster scores the try from close range.

The defensive line has been broken as Bathobele Hlekani goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee Morne Ferreira blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Lions v Bulls 
  
 Round 11 
  
 Sat 31st January 2026, 04:30am PST 
  
 Ellis Park 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Morne Ferreira

Points Flow Chart

Bulls win +35

Time in lead

Mins in lead

% Of Game In Lead

90%

48%

Possession Last 10 min

52%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Smith

17 - 52

81'

Mills

15 - 52

80'

Johannes

78'

10 - 52

Johannes

77'

10 - 50

Gumede

74'

10 - 45

Pollard

66'

10 - 40

Papier

65'

10 - 38

Pollard

55'

10 - 33

Vorster

54'

10 - 31

Smith

10 - 26

45'

van den Berg

8 - 26

44'

Half Time

Pollard

40'

3 - 26

Arendse

39'

3 - 24

Pollard

38'

3 - 19

Pollard

37'

3 - 17

Grobbelaar

31'

3 - 12

Smith

3 - 7

22'

Arendse

15'

0 - 7

Pollard

10'

0 - 7

Vorster

0 - 5

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

4.7

Entries

Attack Profile

Lions

Bulls

More Less

Defence Profile

Lions

Bulls

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

49%

51%

3-6 secs

37%

29%

6+ secs

14%

20%

Rucks Won

108

Last 5 Penalties

54'

59'

72'

76'

79'

Lions

Bulls

Lions vs Bulls Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Lions face off against Bulls in United Rugby Championship Round 11 on Sat 31st January 2026 at Ellis Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 12:30 and is broadcast on Premier Sports. In South Africa it’s at 14:30 SAST on SuperSport, 01:30 NZST on URC TV in New Zealand, 23:30 AEST on URC TV in Australia and 04:30 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

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

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 1 place in the league table with Bulls in 7th and Lions in 8th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Lions vs Bulls Squads

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