The Lions took their fifth win of the season against the Stormers on Sunday, beating their fellow African franchise by seven points.
Final score
Lions 29
Stormers 22
Good morning and welcome to what shapes as the match of the round as the two South African conference leaders go head to head in a battle for supremacy out of the republic, the Lions hosting the Stormers in Johannesburg. Join us for live scores and updates of the game.
Kick off is scheduled for 3.15AM AEST.
Both sides bring solid wins to the table from the previous round, the Stormers thumping the Sunwolves at home and the Lions dispatching the Sharks away in Durban.
While we can expect a torrid battle up front with both sides possessing powerful and cohesive packs I am expecting a free flowing affair as both sides will look to use their talent out wide.
The Lions in particular have played an adventurous style of rugby this season and I cannot see this changing as they will try and run this big Stormers side of their feet.
The winning and losing of this match appears solely at the feet of the performances of the teams respective first fives, Elton Jantjies of the Lions, possibly a front runner for the Springbok position, up against unheralded Jean Luc du Plessis for the Stormers, gaining a start in what has been an unlucky position for the Stormers injury wise this season.
How these two players run their sides this morning will go a long way to deciding this match and one has to favour the in-form Jantjies here.
Several match-ups this morning are a must see and possibly even more so for the players involved with a new Springbok coach and jerseys up for grabs in June.
Warren Whiteley will see an opportunity to impress against Springbok legend Schalk Burger at 8 while Jaco Kriel will look to further press his claims against another Bok, Nizaam Carr while out on the flanks the two teams left wingers have serious pace to burn with Coutnall Skosan and Leolin Zas looking to show their wares in a finishing role for their sides.
Join us at 3.15AM AEST for kick off to see who can claim bragging rights in South Africa and join in the commentary below to discuss the action as it unfolds.
Tip – Lions by 6. Home ground advantage and the form of Elton Jantjies should see the Lions home today.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Chook, he's incredible... he's like the energizer bunny, just keeps going but I bet his kids slow him down ... *S*
Machooka
Roar Guru
He's da man eh Tragic... and he does it week in and week out!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Geez Digger, you must have the constitution of an ox!
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Kashmir
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Thanks Digger Look forward to seeing replay hopefully today Cheers
taylorman
Roar Guru
Agree Harry and that's really the picture I see for Bok rugby. Not since the days of seeing guys like Gerber in real space have the Boks looked as scary. A Lions Centered style Boks style game would be hard to fathom as we like to think the Boks are this nice controllable unit moving around the park as one. When it's individuals start branching out into all sorts of chaos...that's when it's time to worry. Players are there to win the Championship this year. Same for us but in terms of potential, Boks have a steal on that. Coetzee will have been impressed.
Harry Jones
Expert
Faf and Elton were the difference between two teams that look pretty even (but different). Looking forward to the next Lions-Stormers derby with Etzebeth back. A lot of talent on the field at Ellis Park. Lions are a GREAT side; fit and cohesive.
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Tman. Off to the park, maybe a nap later tis arvo ;)
Digby
Roar Guru
I love Faf.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Great game, well done Lions. SA really do have some great players from their sides matches this weekend. Can't see how they can't get a much more than capable team from what we saw from the Lions, Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Cheetahs this weekend. Amazing talent out there. Thanks digger, get some well earned sleep!
Harry Jones
Expert
Digger takes a 2-point lead in Tipping because of his new BFF Faf
Harry Jones
Expert
Faf defeated me Good blog, Picasso
Digby
Roar Guru
THE LIONS HAVE DEFEATED THE STORMERS IN JOHANNESBURG BY 29 POINTS TO 22
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Wally, thanks for the comments.
Digby
Roar Guru
82' Stormers lineout from the penalty, Lions 22, won, De Allende head down, De Jongh has a crack, Keeble a charge, Notshe a strong carry, through the hands, again de Jongh, predictable, one out, de Allende another touch, Van Wyk hammered, ball has been ripped, Lions have it, Faf clears to touch, its fulltime!! Lions 29 Stormers 22
Wally James
Roar Guru
Thanks Digger. Good night
Digby
Roar Guru
80' Stormers scrum, siren sounds, they have 90m to go, won, they spread, Penalty Stormers! Tackler not releasing. They tap and go, again looking to un, Penalty Stormers! hands. Lions 29 Stormers 22
Digby
Roar Guru
79' Lions scrum, 10 out, won, Whiteley to Faf, one out, soaking up the time, loose, knock on! Lions 29 Stormers 22
Digby
Roar Guru
78' Du Plessis, short, Stormers regather, they attack but lost, Lions now, Faf hoofs it away, ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Du Plessis knocks it on at the back, 10 from his line!! Lions 29 Stormers 22
Wally James
Roar Guru
Why not play advantage there????? All he blue men in front and the Reds driving forward