The Stormers boast an excellent Vodacom URC record in Joburg, although the Lions won the last meeting.
In four URC trips to Ellis Park, the Cape side has claimed three wins, scoring more than 30 points in each.
However, the Lions finally broke the hoodoo last season having come close in their previous encounter.
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A points fest is almost guaranteed when these teams clash. Across the four URC matches in Joburg, there have been a total of 216 scored at an average of 54.
Lions vs Stormers in URC at Ellis Park
2021-22: Lions 10 Stormers 32
2022-23: Lions 22 Stormers 31
2023-24: Lions 33 Stormers 35
2024-25: Lions 30 Stormers 23
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Relive the two most recent clashes between the teams at Ellis Park:
LIONS 30 STORMERS 23
15 February 2025
Round 11, 2024-25 season
The Lions finally broke their URC duck against the Stormers at Ellis Park with a deserved 30-23 win in wet conditions.
A dominant first half laid the foundation as the hosts punished defensive frailties out wide and controlled the contact area, despite enjoying far less possession and territory.
After an early arm wrestle, Gianni Lombard and Jurie Matthee traded penalties before the Lions struck. Quan Horn sliced through the defensive line to set up Morne van den Berg, and minutes later broke through again to send Henco van Wyk over, turning a tight contest into a 17-3 advantage.
The Lions added a third try before half-time when Edwill van der Merwe’s kick ahead exposed uncertainty in the Stormers’ backfield, allowing Marius Louw to capitalise for a 24-6 lead at the break.
The Stormers rallied in the second half. Warrick Gelant produced a moment of brilliance for their first try, while Evan Roos powered over late to narrow the deficit. However, Lombard’s penalties and a resolute Lions defence kept the visitors at bay.
A late Matthee penalty earned the Stormers a losing bonus point.
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LIONS 33 STORMERS 35
21 October 2023
Round 1, 2023-24 season
The Stormers held off a fierce second-half comeback from the Lions to clinch a thrilling 35-33 win.
The visitors looked in complete control early in the second half, racing into a 32-7 lead and later stretching it to 35-14, but were forced to dig deep as the Lions stormed back with four tries after the break.
The hosts struck first through hooker PJ Botha, yet that proved to be their only points of the first half.
The Stormers responded through Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, whose superb individual try levelled matters. Penalties from Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Clayton Blommetjies nudged the Cape side ahead before hooker Joseph Dweba powered over from a driving maul.
Scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies added further impetus, darting over from the base of a ruck on the stroke of half-time to give the Stormers a commanding 27-7 lead at the interval.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu secured the bonus point with his second try, finishing off an assist from Warrick Gelant, before slotting a long-range penalty to make it 35-14.
But the Lions refused to fold, ultimately outscoring the Stormers five tries to four across the match, but the visitors showed enough composure in the closing stages to secure a valuable away victory in their URC opener.
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Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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