The Lions entertain the red hot Hollywoodbets Sharks in the URC in Johannesburg with JP Pietersen’s men looking to successfully defend their SA Shield title.
Match context
Having crashed out of the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Lions have their full focus on URC matters as they eye out a first knockout appearance since they joined the competition. Currently placed 10th with four wins from 10 and level on 24-points with the ninth-placed Sharks, a top eight place is certainly not out of the question but priority for them will be to arrest their poor recent run of form and improve defensively.
Cash van Rooyen’s side’s last result came in a nightmarish 17-52 thumping at the hands of the Bulls in the trans-Jukskei derby at Emirates Airlines Park in a match that saw them ship as many as seven tries. Coming up against a Sharks team starting to find its rhythm on attack, they’ll need a repeat of their January performance in the reverse fixture in Durban that saw them claim a last-minute 23-22 win.
On that occasion, it took an 80th-minute Haashim Pead try to steal it for the Lions after the Sharks had fought back from 15-0 down inside the opening 10-minutes to come within moments of the win.
Prior to the Lions’ derby humbling by the Bulls, they’d drawn with both Perpignan and Ospreys, meaning they are in real need of a pick-me-up before they tackle the Stormers.
To add to the importance of this fixture is of course the small matter of the South African Shield, with the Sharks currently leading the way on 16-points, six ahead of their second-placed opponents this week.
A bonus point victory for the men in black and white would wrap it up and see them defend their title – some achievement considering the way their campaign has played out, with coaching changes just months in.
Players to watch
Francke Horn (Lions)
The Lions captain was shown red in the earlier clash between the teams in Durban after having dotted down in his side’s blistering opening 10-minutes. Just before halftime, the Paarl Boys’ High product recklessly hit Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi high which ended his involvement and put the visitors on the backfoot.
With so much at stake this weekend, and perhaps spurred on by his indiscretion, expect Horn to come up with a particularly industrious shift on game day as he looks to inspire his teammates to a season double over the men from the east coast.
Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
In his conversation with the media on Tuesday, Koch highlighted the importance of this week’s scrum contest, with both outfits having enjoyed serious dominance in this facet of the game so far this season. The Durbanites have won 95% of their scums in 2025/26 to see them rank third in the competition, while the Joburg franchise comes in at third.
Considering what we saw in January between the sides, with the contest at the scrum so finely poised, the experience and quality of the Empangeni-born 35-year-old could have a direct impact on how well his team performs on the highveld this weekend.
Tactical overview
As always at altitude, inaccurate kicking will be punished and the performances of each set of tactical kickers should be telling in the final analysis. Likewise, fullbacks Aphelele Fassi and Quan Horn need to be rock solid at the back in the face of what could be a barrage of opposition high bombs, with plenty of counter-attacking opportunities potentially on the cards.
As previously stated, the scrum battle will also be crucial and will dictate which side plays at which end. Though things were more evenly matched in Durban, the added presence of Koch at tighthead this week should give the visitors the edge as they look to contain the constant scrummaging threat of Asenathi Ntlabakanye and his fellow front rankers.
With extensive knowledge of the conditions in Johannesburg, Jordan Hendrikse will be another major focal point for the Sharks and if they can get dominance at set piece, his ability to unleash the likes of captain Andre Esterhuizen could cause the hosts heaps of trouble.
Prediction
It should be another high-scoring affair in the Lion’s Den, with tries aplenty expected from each team, especially given they will head into the weekend refreshed after three weeks break. In the end though, the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ superior quality and burgeoning confidence should see them seal the SA Shield for a second successive season. Get on them to clear the handicap.
