Lions-Stormers, Bulls-Sharks: Kick-off times, teams

Two gripping South African derbies will take centre stage in the United Rugby Championship on Saturday as the Lions host the Stormers before a blockbuster clash between the Bulls and Sharks.

With the next two rounds of matches comprising local derbies, these games will be decisive in the race for the South African Shield where the teams will give their all for supremacy on the domestic front in the 2024/25 URC season, adding even more spice to the competition.

The 13^th-placed Lions will host the 10^th-placed Stormers in Johannesburg in the first match-up, which kicks off at 14:30, with incumbent SA Shield holders, the Vodacom Bulls, hosting the Hollywoodbets Sharks across the Jukskei River in Pretoria shortly after at 17:00.

These matches will mark the second time the teams line up against one another since 21 December – albeit at different venues – when the Capetonians and Durbanites emerged victorious at home.

Adding to the significance of the next two rounds, it will play a vital role in all four teams’ quest to either remain in the top four on the standings – positions the Bulls and Sharks currently enjoy – to stay in the running for home playoff matches.

Meanwhile the Stormers and Lions will look to claw their way either into the top eight or closer to the top-half of the log as they continue their hunt playoff spots.

All four South African sides still have a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals.

HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LIONS-STORMERS & BULLS-SHARKS MATCHES:

Saturday, 15 February 2025

Lions vs Stormers at Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg – 14h30

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Manuel Rass

Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 JJ Kotze, 1 Ali Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Andre-Hugo Venter, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Jonathan Roche.

Referee: Griffin Colby (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Hanru Van Rooyen (South Africa) & Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Egon Seconds (South Africa)

Bulls vs Sharks at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria – 17h00

Bulls: 15 Devon Williams, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sergeal Petersen, 10 Willie le Roux, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Reinhardt Ludwig (Captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johann Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Boeta Chamberlain, 23 Aphiwe Dyantyi

Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Lukhanyo Am, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Lappies Labuschagne, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Jaco Williams

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Morne Ferreira (South Africa) & Sean Muller (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

WHAT ARE YOUR SCORE PREDICTIONS FOR THE TWO SA DERBIES?

Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.

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