Lions

49 - 31

Full Time

Ulster

Lions vs Ulster

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

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

81'

Lions go for goal with Gianni Lombard taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

81'

Try

Lions are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Morne Brandon picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

80'

Layton Horn comes on.

77'

Nico Steyn comes off.

77'

Lions go for goal with Nico Steyn taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

76'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Lions is finished off by Conraad van Vuuren

75'

This is dangerous for the defence as Conraad van Vuuren bursts through to advance the Lions attack.

75'

Jarod Cairns played a key part in that try.

75'

A gap opened in the defence and Quan Horn took full advantage.

74'

Ulster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with James McCormick getting some game time.

73'

Ulster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with David McCann being replaced.

73'

Gianni Lombard curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the left.

71'

Try

Henco van Wyk scores the try from close range.

70'

That's a great try assist by Nico Steyn.

70'

A gap opened in the defence and Jarod Cairns took full advantage.

70'

Ulster Rugby make a substitution with Conor McKee coming on.

68'

Ulster Rugby make a substitution with Nathan Doak coming off.

68'

Lions make a substitution with Conraad van Vuuren coming on.

68'

Lions make a substitution with Asenathi Ntlabakanye coming off.

68'

Lions make a substitution with Gianni Lombard coming on.

68'

Lions make a substitution with Chris William Smith coming off.

68'

Conversion

The Ulster Rugby supporters go wild as Jake Flannery successfully kicks the conversion.

66'

Try

Ulster Rugby are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with David McCann touching down.

66'

The defensive line has been broken as Renzo Du Plessis goes through the gap.

62'

Ulster Rugby sub Marcus Rea comes onto the field.

61'

Bryn Ward departs for Ulster Rugby.

61'

Ulster Rugby sub Werner Kok comes onto the field.

61'

Zac Ward departs for Ulster Rugby.

61'

Lions sub Kelly Mpeku comes onto the field.

61'

Eduan Keyter departs for Lions.

61'

Ulster Rugby sub Jake Flannery comes onto the field.

61'

Jack Murphy departs for Ulster Rugby.

61'

Conversion

The Lions supporters go wild as Chris William Smith successfully kicks the conversion.

61'

Try

A stunning solo try from Renzo Du Plessis

60'

Spellbinding play by Nico Steyn is finished off with a try.

60'

Matthew Dalton comes on for Ulster Rugby.

57'

Joe Hopes leaves the field.

57'

Darrien-Lane Landsberg comes on for Lions.

57'

Etienne Oosthuizen leaves the field.

57'

RF Schoeman comes on for Lions.

56'

SJ Kotze leaves the field.

56'

Morne Brandon comes on for Lions.

56'

Franco Marais leaves the field.

56'

Renzo Du Plessis comes on for Lions.

56'

Ruan Venter leaves the field.

56'

Jack Murphy has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

52'

Try

A penetrating move by Ulster Rugby results in a try for Robert Baloucoune.

51'

What a run here by Robert Baloucoune as they get over the gainline!

51'

Jack Murphy sets up the try.

51'

What a run here by James Hume as they get over the gainline!

51'

Callum Reid comes on.

50'

Sam Crean comes off.

50'

Etienne Oosthuizen makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

49'

Penalty Goal

Chris William Smith makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

49'

Ulster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Scott Wilson getting some game time.

46'

Ulster Rugby decide to make a substitution, with Tom O'Toole being replaced.

46'

Conversion

Chris William Smith adds the two points for Lions.

46'

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.

45'

Spellbinding play by Nico Steyn is finished off with a try.

45'

Lions make a substitution with Jarod Cairns coming on.

40'

Lions make a substitution with Conraad van Vuuren coming off.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

40'

Ulster Rugby go for goal with Nathan Doak taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

40'

Try

Incisive passing by Ulster Rugby is finished off by Robert Baloucoune, as they goes over for the try.

39'

That's a great try assist by Jack Murphy.

39'

Fabulous play by Ulster Rugby has led to Zac Ward being able to wriggle through a gap.

34'

Penalty Goal

The Lions supporters go wild as Chris William Smith successfully kicks the penalty goal.

32'

Conraad van Vuuren comes on.

28'

Jarod Cairns comes off.

28'

Yellow Card

Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions) is shown a yellow card

26'

Conversion

Nathan Doak makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

24'

Try

James Hume gathers the kick to score the try for Ulster Rugby.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as James Hume bursts through to advance the Ulster Rugby attack.

23'

That's a great try assist by Jack Murphy.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Mike Lowry bursts through to advance the Ulster Rugby attack.

23'

Conversion

Chris William Smith has kicked a conversion.

Try

Great hands by Lions leads to a try for Eduan Keyter

That's a great try assist by Quan Horn.

Conversion

Nathan Doak has kicked a conversion.

Try

A stunning solo try from Robert Baloucoune

The defensive line has been broken as Robert Baloucoune goes through the gap.

That's a great try assist by Jude Postlethwaite.

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

Conversion

Chris William Smith has kicked a conversion.

Try

Great hands by Lions leads to a try for SJ Kotze

The defensive line has been broken as SJ Kotze goes through the gap.

Asenathi Ntlabakanye sets up the try.

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

Match Details

  
 Lions v Ulster 
  
 Round 5 
  
 Sat 25th October 2025, 04:45am PDT 
  
 Ellis Park 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Ben Connor

Points Flow Chart

Lions win +18

Time in lead

Mins in lead

79%

% Of Game In Lead

85%

Possession Last 10 min

15%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Brandon

49 - 31

80'

van Vuuren

44 - 31

75'

van Wyk

39 - 31

70'

Flannery

66'

34 - 31

McCann

66'

34 - 29

Smith

34 - 24

61'

Du Plessis

32 - 24

60'

Baloucoune

51'

27 - 24

Smith

27 - 19

49'

Smith

24 - 19

46'

Venter

22 - 19

45'

Half Time

Baloucoune

39'

17 - 19

Smith

17 - 14

32'

Ntlabakanye

14 - 14

26'

Doak

24'

14 - 14

Hume

23'

14 - 12

Smith

14 - 7

Keyter

12 - 7

Doak

7 - 7

Baloucoune

7 - 5

Smith

7 - 0

Kotze

5 - 0

Start

Win Probability

Lions

48%

Draw

Ulster

51%

Try by Morne Brandon

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.5

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.4

Entries

Attack Profile

Lions

Ulster

More Less

Defence Profile

Lions

Ulster

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

73%

71%

3-6 secs

17%

22%

6+ secs

10%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

53'

58'

64'

78'

Lions

Ulster

Lions vs Ulster Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Lions face off against Ulster in United Rugby Championship Round 5 on Sat 25th October 2025 at Ellis Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 12:45 and is broadcast on Premier Sports. In South Africa it’s at 13:45 SAST on SuperSport, 00:45 NZST on URC TV in New Zealand, 22:45 AEST on URC TV in Australia and 04:45 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

Lions won the last encounter but Ulster 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 Ulster in 6th and Lions in 7th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Lions vs Ulster Squads

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