The Lions begin their 2026/27 United Rugby Championship campaign with a major test on Saturday as they welcome reigning champions Leinster to Ellis Park.
Ivan van Rooyen’s side could hardly have been handed a more demanding opening assignment, with Leinster arriving in Johannesburg as the back-to-back URC champions.
The Irish giants also ended the Lions’ run in last season’s competition, knocking them out in the quarter-finals.
Lions face early URC examination
The Lions will be looking to make home advantage count against one of the tournament’s most accomplished sides.
History does, however, offer the Johannesburg outfit some encouragement.
Leinster have won only one of their last eight matches in South Africa, with that victory coming against the Sharks in March 2025.
The Lions also produced a memorable performance in this fixture in April 2024, when they stormed to a 44-12 victory.
Van Rooyen will be hoping for another strong home showing as the Lions look to establish themselves early in the new URC campaign.
Lions strengthen their squad
The Lions have added considerable experience and quality during the off-season.
Springbok Boan Venter, Boeta Chamberlain and Hyron Adams are among the notable additions included in Van Rooyen’s matchday squad for the opening-round encounter.
There is also an opportunity for some of the Lions’ emerging talent.
Young scrumhalf Zian Cilliers has been named among the replacements, while Ethan Adams is also in line for a senior debut.
Their potential involvement adds another dimension to a match that already promises to be a significant test of the Lions’ squad depth.
Van Rooyen warns against Leinster’s tactics
Van Rooyen expects Leinster to challenge the Lions’ ability to stick to their game plan.
The Lions coach highlighted the Irish side’s defensive structure and their ability to disrupt opponents and force them away from their preferred patterns.
“Leinster are quite good at getting the opposition to play out of the system — their superpower is to get you out of your structure, so it will be important for us to get back into momentum and re-apply the pressure,” Van Rooyen said.
He also emphasised the importance of making the most of attacking opportunities.
“Their defensive system is really good, so if you are 50/50 on attack they get the upper hand, so there’s a big challenge for us ahead,” he added.
LIVE SCORING: Lions vs Leinster
Follow all the action from Ellis Park as the Lions take on Leinster in a blockbuster opening-round URC fixture.
Lions vs Leinster
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Competition: United Rugby Championship
Round: 1
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Live scoring, key moments and match updates will be added as the action unfolds.
