The Lions are winners once again, defeating the Stormers by 13 points.
Final score
Stormers 16
Lions 29
This early Easter Sunday morning game sees the Lions travelling to Capetown to play the Stormers. Join The Roar from 1:15am (AEST) for all the live action as we cover this Round 8 match from South Africa.
The Stormers remain one of the two unbeaten sides left in Super Rugby this season, winning a pulsating encounter against the Chiefs last weekend while the Lions are coming off the bye, securing a win against their conference rivals the Sharks the week before in another high-quality encounter.
These two sides lead their respective African conferences and a win today for either side will go a long way to setting up the balance of their season in the race to secure pole position for the playoffs.
This match will be keenly fought in all departments and we should expect a fast-paced match, brutal at the ruck and in the middle and we will see plenty of opportunity for both sides to exploit the skill and speed they both possess out wide.
An intriguing aspect of this match will be the clash within the loose forward trios and how the respective trios far should be a decisive factor in deciding the outcome.
The Stormers loosies have been in fantastic form this season, lead ably by Siya Kolisi and along with Nizeem Carr and Sikhumbuzo Notshe offer plenty of speed, power and skill and will be thoroughly tested up against the Lions own fantastic loose forward unit of Captain Warren Whiteley, the young Ruan Ackermann and Jaco Kriel, all of whom have been in fine form this Super season.
Join us here on The Roar as we cover this game live from 1.15am (AEST) and look forward to potentially the match of the round!
Prediction
Stormers by 3. I have settled with the home side given their form at Newlands this season and what looks a significant advantage to my eye in the second row and a stronger bench in terms of their forward pack. Either way, it will be close.
Baylion
Roar Rookie
Very. Went against them on Superbru but glad for the losss
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
They looked great. You must be very proud :)
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Yes, they played two games in NZ at the start of season (and beat Chiefs but lost big to Highlanders). They did not look bad at the beginning of last season, but as I remember it Lions really started to click about half way through the round robin (bar their blow out against Hurricanes at home)
Baylion
Roar Rookie
The Lions have moved on from running everything to playing total rugby
Digby
Roar Guru
Yes, very proud of myself, I just 'borrowed' one ;)
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me here, Vusi will be up next covering our last game of the round, the Bulls and the Jaguares!! Have a great rest of your Easter!
DaniE
Roar Guru
Good self-control Digs, I wouldn't have left many eggs for them to find.
DaniE
Roar Guru
I was just thinking though that last year, didn't the Lions look good at the start of the season? Didn't they tour NZ early on? Quite liked their style then.
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks mate, I won't tell Connor, he is sensitive about these things ?
Digby
Roar Guru
Hard luck sub 100 man
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
And thanks Digger! Dont tell anyone else, but you are my favorite live blogger at The Roar!
Digby
Roar Guru
Great game it was Dani, Lions defence was brilliant. Time to go hide the Easter eggs now, kids will be up soon ?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Lions second half was pretty special. They look like serious contenders. Ackermans move after the season did not seem to effect at all. And remember last year, Lions were not making any serious noise until round 7-8. And this year they have rotated their squad a lot more than last year at this moment. Some serious planning to peak at the playoffs?
Harry Jones
Expert
Thanks for the blog. Grrrrrr. Well done Lions
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks RT!
DaniE
Roar Guru
Really enjoyed that game - had so much passion and skill in it. Great blogging Digger - you deserve a rest after that one! Was so fast!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks Digger .... *yawn* ... bedsville for this kiddo... night
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Lions too good they are going to be hard to beat.... very good game ....
Digby
Roar Guru
THE LIONS HAVE DEFEATED THE STORMERS BY 29 POINTS TO 16 IN CAPETOWN
Digby
Roar Guru
Siren sounds, Jantjies pumps it into touch and the ref calls fulltime!! STORMERS 16 LIONS 29