Lions

26 - 7

Full Time

Connacht

Connacht vs Lions

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

The 80 minutes is up! The referee has blown their whistle to end the second half.

83'

Conversion

Lubabalo Dobela converts the try.

83'

Try

Edwill van der Merwe goes on their own for a try.

82'

This is dangerous for the defence as Edwill van der Merwe bursts through to advance the Lions attack.

77'

Izan Esterhuizen comes on.

77'

Ruben Schoeman comes off.

77'

The drop goal is on its way from Quan Horn but it runs out gas over the last few metres, falling short.

75'

A gap opened in the defence and Richard Kriel took full advantage.

74'

Conversion

David Hawkshaw has kicked a conversion.

73'

Try

Eoin de Buitlear scores the try from close range.

73'

Matthew Devine played a key part in that try.

73'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Lubabalo Dobela getting some game time.

71'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Kade Wolhuter being replaced.

71'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Darrien-Lane Landsberg getting some game time.

71'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Ruan Delport being replaced.

71'

Kade Wolhuter curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

70'

Connacht Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Cathal Forde getting some game time.

70'

Connacht Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Colm Reilly being replaced.

70'

Try

A series of passes by Lions results in a try for JC Pretorius

69'

A gap opened in the defence and JC Pretorius took full advantage.

69'

That's a great try assist by Jarod Cairns.

69'

Lions make a substitution with SJ Kotze coming on.

66'

Lions make a substitution with Morgan Naude coming off.

66'

Lions make a substitution with PJ Botha coming on.

66'

Lions make a substitution with Jaco Visagie coming off.

66'

Lions make a substitution with RF Schoeman coming on.

66'

Lions make a substitution with Asenathi Ntlabakanye coming off.

66'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Colm Reilly coming on.

65'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Cathal Forde coming off.

65'

The defensive line has been broken as Matthew Devine goes through the gap.

64'

Lions sub Rynhardt Jonker comes onto the field.

62'

Henco van Wyk departs for Lions.

62'

Connacht Rugby sub Jordan Duggan comes onto the field.

60'

Peter Dooley departs for Connacht Rugby.

60'

Connacht Rugby sub Eoin de Buitlear comes onto the field.

60'

Dylan Tierney-Martin departs for Connacht Rugby.

60'

Nico Steyn comes on for Lions.

55'

Morne van den Berg leaves the field.

55'

What a run here by Richard Kriel as they get over the gainline!

54'

Sam Illo comes on.

52'

Jack Aungier comes off.

52'

Oisin Dowling comes on.

52'

Joe Joyce comes off.

52'

Yellow Card

Renzo Du Plessis (Lions) is shown a yellow card

49'

Connacht Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Hugh Gavin getting some game time.

45'

Connacht Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Jack Carty being replaced.

45'

Penalty Goal

Kade Wolhuter kicks the penalty.

42'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Santiago Cordero coming on.

40'

Connacht Rugby make a substitution with Piers O'Conor coming off.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

41'

Penalty Goal

Kade Wolhuter has kicked a penalty goal.

36'

This is dangerous for the defence as Richard Kriel bursts through to advance the Lions attack.

22'

Penalty Goal

Kade Wolhuter does the business as their penalty goal attempt goes over.

18'

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

17'

This is dangerous for the defence as Richard Kriel bursts through to advance the Lions attack.

16'

A gap opened in the defence and Morgan Naude took full advantage.

16'

Connacht Rugby sub Paul Boyle comes onto the field.

14'

Sean Jansen departs for Connacht Rugby.

14'

Kade Wolhuter has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

13'

Try

A series of passes by Lions results in a try for Renzo Du Plessis

13'

Spellbinding play by Morgan Naude is finished off with a try.

13'

A gap opened in the defence and Cian Prendergast took full advantage.

The defensive line has been broken as Edwill van der Merwe goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Lions v Connacht 
  
 Round 16 
  
 Sat 26th April 2025, 09:00am CDT 
  
 Ellis Park 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Hollie Davidson

Points Flow Chart

Lions win +19

Time in lead

Mins in lead

83%

% Of Game In Lead

36%

Possession Last 10 min

64%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Dobela

26 - 7

83'

van der Merwe

24 - 7

82'

Hawkshaw

73'

19 - 7

de Buitlear

73'

19 - 5

Pretorius

19 - 0

69'

Du Plessis

14 - 0

49'

Wolhuter

14 - 0

42'

Half Time

Wolhuter

11 - 0

36'

Wolhuter

8 - 0

18'

Du Plessis

5 - 0

13'

Start

Win Probability

Lions

59%

Draw

Connacht

40%

Conversion by Lubabalo Dobela

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.8

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.4

Entries

Attack Profile

Lions

Connacht

More Less

Defence Profile

Lions

Connacht

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

42%

67%

3-6 secs

37%

24%

6+ secs

22%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

59'

65'

71'

79'

80'

Lions

Connacht

Lions vs Connacht Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Lions face off against Connacht in United Rugby Championship Round 16 on Sat 26th April 2025 at Ellis Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 15:00 and is broadcast on Premier Sports. In South Africa it’s at 16:00 SAST on SuperSport, 02:00 NZST on TVNZ+ in New Zealand, 00:00 AEST in Australia and 07:00 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

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

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 2 places in the league table with Connacht in 11th and Lions in 13th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Lions vs Connacht Squads

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