The Lions took a significant win in Round 14, defeating the Bulls by a comprehensive margin of 26 points to stake their claim as the top team in Africa.
REPORT: LIONS MAKE HISTORY WITH WIN OVER BULLS
Final score
Bulls 20
Lions 56
The leaders of Africa 1 and Africa 2 will go head-to-head when the Bulls host the Lions at Loftus Versfeld in what will be a physical and very important match-up between both teams, one that falls just prior to the international break. Join us here on The Roar from 1:10am (AEST) for live scores from the match and a blog of the game.
Bulls head coach Nollis Marais has had the luxury of only making two changes, Springbok winger Bjorn Basson taking the place of Travis Ismaiel due to personal reasons and Jaco Visagie makes way for Bandise Maku in the No.2 jersey.
Even with their 52-24 win over the Jaguares, the Lions have made seven changes for this weekend’s clash. Will it be for better or for worse?
Coach Johann Ackermann has been forced to replace in-form – and surely number one option for the Springboks at fly half – Elton Jantjies due to injury, and Maritz Boshoff will take his spot.
Additionally, Sylvain Mahuza, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Warwick Tecklenburg, Andries Ferreira, Malcolm Marx and Dylan Smith have all been named to start in their respective positions.
The Bulls may have won 11 of the last 14 clashes between these sides, but the Lions have won two of the last three. The Bulls won the last time these two teams met, victorious by two points in a high-scoring affair.
Prediction
With the Bulls at home and the Lions missing an Jantjies, those look to be two strong advantages falling in the Bulls’ favour.
Bulls by 10.
Join us here on The Roar from 1:10am (AEST) for live scores from the match and a blog of the game.
Taetjo
Guest
It is a really terrible thing to hear that Marx is not there. Like... How in the world does that even happen?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Shame they're the one of only two teams that aren't rubbish in the SA conferences right now.
Old Bugger
Guest
Just confirms my earlier belief.....the Lions are a very dangerous animal indeed and have the potential, to go all the way, to the GF.
PeterK
Roar Guru
The lions are not black enough (at least the players who started the most games) so it is hard to include a lot of them in the squad.
Digby
Roar Guru
So happy for Faf though. Long overdue. Strong squad.
Digby
Roar Guru
I am staggered that Marx is not there.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
well (my bad) 7 with jantjies but he is injured till at least test 3 I think? My priority would have been to cap guys like Marx before they head overseas. Would have loved to see an Ireland vs Lions (full strength) mid-week game.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Really? 5 or 6? Perhaps it's just that they like looking silly? Only explanation really. They've had a lot of practice.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Only 5-6 Lions in this squad! Don't think I have ever seen a SA franchise so dominant at SR level. What a brilliant match that was, Boshoff slotted right in but all tens would do well next to Faf. mom for me.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Morning Biltong, and I suppose there's a difference between the Lions beating their own in that fashion and beating the overseas sides, which they have also done, to be convincing. But it's a start, to have a truly open, running side leading the comp is an emphatic statement. Haven't seen the match yet but will be sitting down for it after our AB squad gets named in about an hour...they do it live these days now. Good signs I think, and in the right places. Just a matter of time. You can only ignore this sort of loud knocking on the door for so long.
Harry Jones
Expert
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Jaco Kriel, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Scarra Ntubeni, Trevor Nyakane, Julian Redelinghuys, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley Backs: Garth April, Ruan Combrinck, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Nic Groom, Elton Jantjies, Jesse Kriel, Patrick Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lionel Mapoe, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, JP Pietersen, Jan Serfontein
Yes taylorman, we have been saying this for some time. But I will bet you our potential will not be maximised under the consrvative nature of Coetzee
taylorman
Roar Guru
Perhaps Pinetree but I think the game itself makes a bigger statement than that. This is a very overdue representation of the real potential of SA rugby. The Lions have challenged the very powerful status quo of SA rugby through the right channel...by playing open rugby within the confines of the tournament proper. A massive statement in my book. They're showing SA fans how the game can and should be played...by South Africans. Coetzee has a responsibility to reflect at least part of the Lions style in his Springbok side. If he doesn't do that, he'll get what his predecessors get...the boot.
Pinetree
Guest
I think the Lions could actually top the table by the end of rounds, They have the Sharks next but the Lions will be at home, followed by the Kings and Jaguares. The Lions 3 losses have only been to NZ teams as well. S0 with the Lions being on 42 points, if they win all their last 3 games could overtake the Crusaders if they drop a game as the Saders are on 45. Highly likely the Chiefs will drop a game as well and they are on 42 points with the Lions. I noticed that the Brumbies rose from 10th to 4th with their win, but the Tahs dropped from 3rd to 9th even though they won their game!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Wow...and with a Bulls by ten prediction...what a turn up for SA rugby, geez I hope this spices up the impending Bok side. HoW can Coetzee ignore this result. Wow, again, didn't see that coming...must watch it...
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Bulls - 20 Lions - 56 The Lions romp to a 36-point victory at Loftus Versfeld. Incredible performance to re-write the history books for the Lions. They blew the Bulls off their own turf with a complete performance. They no doubt shocked most people with that performance, notably missing Elton Jantjies. Disappointing for the Bulls, but they will be thankful for an international break over the next month to re-group, freshen up and look towards the finals. Great game of running rugby showed by the Lions, and for the sake of South African rugby and the rugby championship, I hope it can be brought to the table during the internationals later in the year. Thanks for tuning in guys, hope you enjoyed.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'79 - TRY! The Bulls finish the match strongly as Stegmann strolls over under the posts from 10m out. Way too late but may help them to restore some sort of pride. Conversion successful. Bulls - 20 Lions - 56
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
'75 - TRY! If the first 75 minutes didn't make a statement, that try sure did! The Lions run 80m + to score one of the tries of the season. They spread the ball wide, into the hands of Skosan, who steps inside and puts it foot down and throws a pass out wide to Janse van Rensburg to finish off in the corner. Unbelievable. Conversion successful. Bulls - 13 Lions - 56
JT
Guest
Lions tearing it up!
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Not sure what to think of the Bulls at the moment, very ordinary performance from the hosts. I think the break for internationals will do them a world of good. Crowd starting to leave.