Lions vs Sharks in URC match graphic

The Lions vs Sharks URC match graphic.

Lions vs Sharks: URC stats, facts and key history

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s URC match between the Lions and Sharks at Ellis in Johannesburg on Saturday. 

Lions vs Sharks in URC match graphic

The Lions vs Sharks URC match graphic.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s URC match between the Lions and Sharks at Ellis in Johannesburg on Saturday.  

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Overall United Rugby Championship head-to-head record: Played 6, Sharks won 6.

STATS AND FACTS: LIONS VS STORMERS

– Three of Jordan Hendrikse’s ten kicks in play were retained in Round 13. Only Luke McGrath and Reuben Morgan-Williams achieved as many.

– Lions centre Marius Louw has missed more tackles (32), allowed as many offloads in the tackle (12), and dropped more balls unforced (15) than any other player. However, he has made the most dominant tackles (18).

– The Lions have scored the fewest tries in the URC (30), averaging just 2.5 per match.

– Flanker James Venter made the most tackles in Round 13 (27), missing just one. This is the most tackles that a Sharks player has made in a single match this season.

– The Sharks have scored the most tries in the league which start with scrums (seven).

– The Sharks have the second-lowest rate of ball retention at the ruck (93%). They are especially poor at retaining the ball close to their own try line, managing just a league-low ball retention rate of 87% in this quarter of the pitch.

– This will be the sixth time that the Lions have met the Sharks in the URC and the third time they have hosted them; they have never won.

– The Lions have lost four on the trot in the URC. Their longest run of defeats in this competition was five matches between January and February 2022.

– The Sharks have lost three of their last four league matches away from home.

ALSO READ: URC | Lions v Sharks, Stormers v Bulls: What time is kick-off?

URC Match information: Lions v Sharks

Date: Saturday, 18 February
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
SA Time: 15h00
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
TV: SuperSport

Aphelele Fassi Sharks against Lions in URC
Aphelele Fassie in breaks through the Lions defence. Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images.