Expect plenty of points when the Lions host the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA.
The Sharks won the first two Vodacom URC clashes between the teams in Joburg, but the Lions dominated the two most recent meetings.
Saturday’s match is a rescheduled round-eight encounter and the only URC action this weekend, so all eyes will be Ellis Park.
It could not be closer on the URC log with the two sides boasting identical records: Played 10, won 4, drawn 1, lost 5, bonus points 6, log points 24.
The Sharks (ninth) and Lions (10th) are separated only by points difference (-36 compared to -43).
A total of 222 points have been scored across the four URC matches between the sides at Ellis Park – an average of 55 per match – and there is every indication Saturday will be another high-scoring, high octane affair on the Highveld.
Lions vs Sharks in URC at Ellis Park
2021-22: Lions 37 Sharks 47
2022-23: Lions 7 Sharks 29
2023-24: Lions 40 Sharks 10
2024-25: Lions 38 Sharks 14
Relive the two most recent clashes between the teams at Ellis Park:
LIONS 38 SHARKS 14
1 March 2025
Round 12, 2024-25 season
The Lions dominated from the off in a match played in soggy conditions.
Using their forward power and playing smart territorial rugby, the hosts surged into a 19-0 half-time lead which would prove decisive.
Hooker PJ Botha barged over from a driving maul in the seventh minute, with flyhalf Gianni Lombard converting. Seven minutes later, No 8 Francke Horn scored from a near-identical move, again converted by Lombard to make it 14-0.
Wing Edwill van der Merwe added a third just before the break, finishing off a slick inside pass from the impressive scrumhalf Morne van den Bergh.
Any hopes the Sharks had of staging a second-half comeback vanished straight after the restart when winger Richard Kriel went over in the corner for the Lions’ bonus-point try.
Replacement forward Jarod Cairns powered over on the hour mark, with another Lombard conversion stretching the lead to 31-0, before Lombard rounded off an enterprising team try late on to complete a stunning performance.
The Sharks scored tries from centre Ethan Hooker and flank Siya Kolisi in the final few minutes, but the game was long gone by then.
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LIONS 40 SHARKS 10
2 March 2024
Round 11, 2023-24 season
A lightning storm delayed the second half of this match by 40 minutes, but it was the Lions who brought all the thunder in a commanding win.
The hosts led 19-10 at half-time and when the match eventually resumed after the enforced break, the Lions powered away with three late tries to seal the win.
The Sharks struck first through a third-minute penalty from flyhalf Siya Masuku. The Lions responded soon after, scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba finishing a sharp break he initiated, with flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse converting.
In the 12th minute, Nohamba’s pinpoint cross-kick found Francke Horn, who offloaded to fellow loose forward JC Pretorius for the Lions’ second try. Hendrikse added the extras for a 14-3 lead.
Fullback Quan Horn crossed in the 22nd minute after a lineout move to make it 19-3.
The Sharks hit back in the 27th minute when Masuku charged down Nohamba’s grubber and sent the ball wide for winger Eduan Keyter to score. Masuku converted to cut the deficit to nine points at half-time.
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After the break, the Lions absorbed early pressure before replacement prop Conraad van Vuuren crashed over from close range in the 64th minute.
Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg then chipped for replacement back Erich Cronje to score, and substitute flank Hanru Sirgel added a late try, with Hendrikse converting to wrap up a convincing win.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images
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