The Bulls and Lions in action. Photo: X
What time does the Bulls-Lions URC derby kick off?
There is just the solitary URC game this weekend, and it’s a big one, with the Bulls hosting the Lions in a crucial encounter.
The Bulls and Lions in action. Photo: X
It may be the only URC match of the weekend (and the last of round nine), but there is a lot to play for as a victory for the Bulls could see them leap from sixth place on the log to possibly third or fourth place, while a win for the Lions if they deny the hosts a bonus point will see them overtake their counterparts on the table, nudging them from 11th position to fifth or sixth place.
With nine pool rounds remaining, competition for quarter-final spots is still tight – which will inspire both Gauteng sides to remain among the playoff contenders in their last match of the first half of the regular season.
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Bulls and Lions have it all to play for in the URC
While the Pretoria side will bank on their home ground advantage to continue their impressive form of two wins on the trot in the Champions Cup after going down against the Stormers in their last URC encounter, the Johannesburgers will want to make up for their disappointing defeat in the EPCR Challenge Cup against Ospreys last week and earn their fourth win a row in the Vodacom URC.
They will, however, be wary of the fact that the Bulls have an unblemished home record in the tournament so far this season, which they will want to build on as the scramble for playoff spots intensifies.
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However, the visitors know what it takes to win in the capital, as they beat the Bulls in Pretoria last season, with Sanele Nohamba’s 24 points, including five penalty goals, ultimately the difference between the sides.
The Bulls have been more effective on attack this season scoring 64 points more in their eight matches up to now, but the Lions boast a marginally better defensive record, which could set the scene for a humdinger of a match as Gauteng bragging rights are up for grabs.
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The game kicks off at 15h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Match information
Date: Saturday, 27 January
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
SA Time: 15h00
TV: SuperSport
Bulls: 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Voster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Mpilo Gumede, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Deon Slabbert, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Simphiwe Matanzima.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Reinhardt Ludwig, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Devon Williams, 23 Marcell Coetzee.
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Hanru Sirgel, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Morgan Naudé, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Izan Esterhuizen, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Erich Cronje.
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