Derby day is here in the United Rugby Championship. The Bulls host the Lions at Loftus Versfeld at 13:30 in the Jukskei Derby, with the Stormers and Sharks meeting in the coastal derby at DHL Stadium at 16:00.
Why This Derby Matters
Both Gauteng sides want to stay in the top half of the log early in the season to keep their playoff hopes healthy. The Bulls arrive as the competition’s leading attacking team with 69 points scored, ahead of the Lions on 62. They also hold the better defensive record, having conceded 39 points against the Lions’ 45.
History Adds Spice
The Lions won’t be overawed. They were strong at home in South Africa last season, losing just one game in Johannesburg, and they beat Ivan van Rooyen’s Bulls 43-33 in the corresponding fixture last year. Johann Ackermann’s side later turned the tables with a convincing 52-17 win in Johannesburg, so the recent record between the two is evenly balanced.
Match Information
- Fixture: Bulls v Lions
- Date: Saturday, 10 October 2026
- Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
- Kick-off: 13:30 (SA time)
- Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
- TV: SuperSport
Bulls Team
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Hanro Liebenberg (captain), 6 Jeandre Rudolph, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Cheswill Jooste
Lions Team
15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Henco van Wyk, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horne (captain), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Siba Mahashe, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Boeta Chamberlain
Follow the Action
Follow the live scoring and updates here as the Bulls and Lions battle it out in Pretoria.
