Lions

34 - 22

Full Time

Sharks

Lions vs Sharks

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

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

81'

Conversion

Jordan Hendrikse converts the try.

81'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Sharks is finished off by Jurenzo Julius

80'

Francois Venter sets up the try.

80'

This is dangerous for the defence as Francois Venter bursts through to advance the Sharks attack.

80'

This is dangerous for the defence as Aphelele Fassi bursts through to advance the Sharks attack.

79'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Renzo Du Plessis getting some game time.

74'

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

74'

A gap opened in the defence and Aphelele Fassi took full advantage.

72'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Erich Cronje getting some game time.

70'

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Bronson Mills being replaced.

70'

Lions sub PJ Botha comes onto the field.

64'

Sibabalwe Mahashe departs for Lions.

64'

Sharks sub Yaw Penxe comes onto the field.

64'

Edwill van der Merwe departs for Sharks.

64'

Yellow Card

Franco Marais (Lions) is shown a yellow card

63'

Lions sub Haashim Pead comes onto the field.

61'

Morne van den Berg departs for Lions.

61'

The defensive line has been broken as Jurenzo Julius goes through the gap.

60'

Reinhard Nothnagel comes on for Lions.

59'

Darrien-Lane Landsberg leaves the field.

59'

RF Schoeman comes on for Lions.

58'

Asenathi Ntlabakanye leaves the field.

58'

Eddie Davids comes on for Lions.

57'

SJ Kotze leaves the field.

57'

Franco Marais comes on for Lions.

57'

PJ Botha leaves the field.

57'

Bathobele Hlekani comes on for Lions.

56'

Etienne Oosthuizen leaves the field.

56'

Jordan Hendrikse comes on.

53'

Siya Masuku comes off.

53'

Phepsi Buthelezi comes on.

53'

Thomas Dyer comes off.

53'

Ross Braude comes on.

53'

Jaden Hendrikse comes off.

53'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Chris William Smith kicks the conversion.

52'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Ruan Venter from scoring as they record the try for Lions.

51'

Chris William Smith sets up the try.

51'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Emile van Heerden getting some game time.

48'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Jason Jenkins being replaced.

48'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Cameron Dawson getting some game time.

48'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Phatu Ganyane being replaced.

48'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Vincent Koch getting some game time.

48'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Hanro Jacobs being replaced.

48'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Eduan Swart getting some game time.

48'

Sharks decide to make a substitution, with Fez Mbatha being replaced.

48'

Siya Masuku has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

47'

Try

The Sharks maul march their way over the white wash for Tinotenda Mavesere to touch down.

46'

Conversion

Chris William Smith adds the two points for Lions.

44'

Try

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

43'

Lions make a substitution with Ruan Venter coming on.

40'

Lions make a substitution with Bathobele Hlekani 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

Siya Masuku kicks the penalty.

41'

Yellow Card

Bronson Mills (Lions) is shown a yellow card

40'

Lions sub Bathobele Hlekani comes onto the field.

38'

Ruan Venter departs for Lions.

38'

Fabulous play by Lions has led to Etienne Oosthuizen being able to wriggle through a gap.

35'

Conversion

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

33'

Try

Silky skills by Lions ends with a try for Morne van den Berg.

32'

Trouble here as Morne van den Berg breaches the defence.

32'

Kelly Mpeku sets up the try.

32'

Trouble here as Kelly Mpeku breaches the defence.

31'

Conversion

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

30'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Asenathi Ntlabakanye scores from close range.

29'

Yellow Card

Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks) is shown a yellow card

28'

Trouble here as Angelo Davids breaches the defence.

28'

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

24'

Penalty Goal

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

18'

Conversion

Siya Masuku converts the try.

15'

Try

Nobody could stop that maul! Fez Mbatha places the ball down for the try.

14'

The defensive line has been broken as Bronson Mills goes through the gap.

Penalty Goal

Chris William Smith has kicked a penalty goal.

The defensive line has been broken as Morne van den Berg goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee Griffin Colby blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Lions v Sharks 
  
 Round 8 
  
 Sat 21st February 2026, 04:00am PST 
  
 Ellis Park 
  
 Griffin Colby

Points Flow Chart

Lions win +12

Time in lead

Mins in lead

78%

% Of Game In Lead

18%

25%

Possession Last 10 min

75%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Hendrikse

81'

34 - 22

Julius

80'

34 - 20

Marais

34 - 15

63'

Smith

34 - 15

52'

Venter

32 - 15

51'

Mavesere

46'

27 - 15

Smith

27 - 10

44'

Mahashe

25 - 10

43'

Half Time

Masuku

41'

20 - 10

Mills

20 - 7

40'

Smith

20 - 7

33'

van den Berg

18 - 7

32'

Smith

13 - 7

30'

Ntlabakanye

11 - 7

29'

Hendrikse

28'

6 - 7

Smith

6 - 7

18'

Masuku

15'

3 - 7

Mbatha

14'

3 - 5

Smith

3 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.4

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.1

Entries

Attack Profile

Lions

Sharks

More Less

Defence Profile

Lions

Sharks

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

49%

61%

3-6 secs

32%

23%

6+ secs

19%

16%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

61'

63'

68'

74'

77'

Lions

Sharks

Lions vs Sharks Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Lions face off against Sharks in United Rugby Championship Round 8 on Sat 21st February 2026 at Ellis Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 12:00. In South Africa it’s at 14:00 SAST, 01:00 NZST in New Zealand, 23:00 AEST in Australia and 04:00 EST in the US.

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

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 4 places in the league table with Sharks in 7th and Lions in 11th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Lions vs Sharks Squads

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