Lions

27 - 26

Full Time

Leinster

Leinster vs Lions

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

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

85'

Conversion

Harry Byrne converts the try.

85'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Stephen Smyth scores from close range.

84'

Yellow Card

SJ Kotze (Lions) is shown a yellow card

82'

Zian Cilliers comes on for Lions.

80'

Nico Steyn leaves the field.

80'

Conversion

Chris Smith has kicked a conversion.

79'

Try

What a kick! Kelly Mpeku takes full advantage to score for Lions.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Kelly Mpeku bursts through to advance the Lions attack.

78'

Spellbinding play by Chris Smith is finished off with a try.

78'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Oliver Coffey getting some game time.

74'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Hugh Cooney being replaced.

74'

A gap opened in the defence and Ciaran Mangan took full advantage.

73'

Yellow Card

Dylan McNeice (Leinster Rugby) is shown a yellow card

71'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Ethan Adams getting some game time.

71'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Richard Kriel being replaced.

71'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Ciaran Mangan getting some game time.

71'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Todd Lawlor being replaced.

71'

Lions make a substitution with Hyron Andrews coming on.

68'

Lions make a substitution with Ruan Delport coming off.

68'

Leinster Rugby make a substitution with Niall Smyth coming on.

65'

Leinster Rugby make a substitution with Andrew Porter coming off.

65'

Leinster Rugby sub Dylan McNeice comes onto the field.

60'

Josh Ericson departs for Leinster Rugby.

60'

Penalty Goal

The touch judges raise their flags as Chris Smith kicks the penalty goal.

60'

Stephen Smyth comes on for Leinster Rugby.

58'

Gus McCarthy leaves the field.

58'

What a run here by Erich Cronje as they get over the gainline!

56'

Josh Ericson comes on.

52'

Max Deegan comes off.

52'

JC Pretorius comes on.

52'

Sibabalwe Mahashe comes off.

52'

Peter Dooley comes on.

51'

Alex Usanov comes off.

51'

Andrew Osborne makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

49'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Harry Byrne getting some game time.

49'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Caspar Gabriel being replaced.

49'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Brian Deeny getting some game time.

49'

Leinster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Josh Ericson being replaced.

49'

Boeta Chamberlain makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

48'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Sibabalo Qoma getting some game time.

45'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Etienne Oosthuizen being replaced.

45'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with SJ Kotze getting some game time.

45'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Boan Venter being replaced.

45'

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

45'

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

45'

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

45'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Sebastian Lombard being replaced.

45'

Hugh Cooney makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

43'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

40'

Conversion

Caspar Gabriel does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

39'

Try

Incisive passing by Leinster Rugby is finished off by Fintan Gunne, as they goes over for the try.

38'

That's a great try assist by Caspar Gabriel.

38'

Fabulous play by Leinster Rugby has led to Caspar Gabriel being able to wriggle through a gap.

38'

Trouble here as Hugh Cooney breaches the defence.

31'

Trouble here as Charlie Tector breaches the defence.

31'

Caspar Gabriel takes the penalty but the ball didn't come round, staying right of the posts.

27'

Conversion

Chris Smith makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

24'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Lions is finished off by Erich Cronje

23'

That's a great try assist by Boeta Chamberlain.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Boeta Chamberlain bursts through to advance the Lions attack.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Kelly Mpeku bursts through to advance the Lions attack.

20'

This is dangerous for the defence as Tommy O'Brien bursts through to advance the Leinster Rugby attack.

17'

This is dangerous for the defence as Max Deegan bursts through to advance the Leinster Rugby attack.

17'

Lions make a substitution with Henco van Wyk coming on.

15'

Lions make a substitution with Ethan Adams coming off.

15'

Conversion

Caspar Gabriel converts the try.

14'

Try

A series of passes by Leinster Rugby results in a try for Fintan Gunne

13'

Spellbinding play by Josh Ericson is finished off with a try.

13'

A gap opened in the defence and Josh Ericson took full advantage.

13'

Penalty Goal

Chris Smith makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

12'

Conversion

Chris Smith has kicked a conversion.

Try

Great hands by Lions leads to a try for Erich Cronje

The defensive line has been broken as Erich Cronje goes through the gap.

Nico Steyn played a key part in that try.

Caspar Gabriel has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

Try

Leinster Rugby are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Fintan Gunne touching down.

Ethan Adams comes on.

Henco van Wyk comes off.

The defensive line has been broken as Caspar Gabriel goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee Ben Breakspear blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Lions v Leinster 
  
 Round 1 
  
 Sat 26th September 2026, 04:30am PDT 
  
 Ellis Park 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Ben Breakspear

Points Flow Chart

Lions win +1

Time in lead

Mins in lead

49%

% Of Game In Lead

40%

Possession Last 10 min

98%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Byrne

85'

27 - 26

Smyth

84'

27 - 24

Kotze

27 - 19

82'

Smith

27 - 19

79'

Mpeku

25 - 19

78'

McNeice

71'

20 - 19

Smith

20 - 19

60'

Half Time

Gabriel

39'

17 - 19

Gunne

38'

17 - 17

Smith

17 - 12

24'

Cronje

15 - 12

23'

Gabriel

14'

10 - 12

Gunne

13'

10 - 10

Smith

10 - 5

12'

Smith

7 - 5

Cronje

5 - 5

Gunne

0 - 5

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.4

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.3

Entries

Attack Profile

Lions

Leinster

More Less

Defence Profile

Lions

Leinster

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

54%

61%

3-6 secs

33%

25%

6+ secs

13%

14%

Rucks Won

113

Last 4 Penalties

46'

64'

71'

82'

Lions

Leinster

Lions vs Leinster Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Lions face off against Leinster in United Rugby Championship Round 1 on Sat 26th September 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 13:30 SAST on SuperSport, 23:30 NZST on URC TV in New Zealand, 21:30 AEST on URC TV in Australia and 04:30 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

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

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 3 places in the league table with Leinster in 7th and Lions in 10th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Lions vs Leinster Squads

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