Johannesburg – The Lions will face a desperate Stormers side at Ellis Park on Saturday, with the Cape Town outfit reeling from consecutive defeats to the Sharks. The match, kicking off at 2:30 PM local time, is considered a must-win for the Stormers, according to coach John Dobson, as they attempt to secure a playoff position in the United Rugby Championship.
The Stormers arrive in Johannesburg under pressure, having conceded a high number of penalties in recent games – 18 or 19 per match, according to Dobson. He attributed the losses to self-inflicted errors rather than solely crediting the Sharks’ performance, stating his team “broke our own system.” The Lions, meanwhile, are buoyed by a recent victory over the Sharks and are also vying for a top-eight finish.
The Lions have prioritized forward power in their team selection for the clash, focusing on scrum stability, lineout precision, and overall dominance in the pack. The front row of SJ Kotze, PJ Botha, and RF Schoeman will be tasked with challenging the Stormers’ tight five. Captain Francke Horn will lead the back row, aiming to disrupt the Stormers’ mauls and exit plays.
The backline will see continuity from the team’s previous win against the Sharks, with Chris Smith and Morné van den Berg forming the halfback partnership. Angelo Davids and Kelly Mpeku will provide attacking options on the wings.
Dobson has warned his players that the Lions, fighting for a playoff spot themselves, will be a dangerous opponent. “Desperate teams are horrible,” he said. He also highlighted the challenges of playing at Ellis Park, citing the altitude, expansive pitch, and the intensity of the home crowd as factors that produce it “a horrible place to go into and have to win.”
The Lions broke a previous URC losing streak against the Stormers at Ellis Park last season, winning 30-23 in wet conditions. Prior to that, the Stormers had claimed three wins in four URC visits to the ground, scoring over 30 points in each of those victories. The most recent encounter at Ellis Park, in February 2025, saw the Lions emerge victorious with a 30-23 scoreline, capitalizing on defensive frailties and controlling the contact area.
The Stormers have indicated they intend to play an expansive game, with players expressing a desire to “run riot” in Gauteng, though this ambition will be tested by the Lions’ focus on forward dominance and set-piece control.
