The Lions triumphed at Loftus Versfeld for the first time since March 2023 with a composed and clinical victory over the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

The 43-33 bonus-point win takes the Lions above their Gauteng rivals on the Vodacom URC log.

After an even opening spell, the visitors struck first through a Chris Smith penalty. Sustained Bulls pressure followed, but the Lions capitalised on a loose ball when winger Kelly Mpeku hacked ahead into open space and won the chase to score. Smith converted for a 10-0 lead.

Yesterday his birthday. Today his first @Vodacom #URC try 🎉💥

Mpeku with the clever kick, the chase, the pickup, and the dive for a @LionsRugbyCo try 🦁#BULvLIO pic.twitter.com/cXFOz2YJkn

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) November 29, 2025

The Lions extended their advantage when superb passage of play ended with scrumhalf Nico Steyn diving over after a sharp offload in contact from flank Ruan Venter, and Smith made it 17-0.

The Bulls hit back on the half hour through two quick-fire tries from Embrose Papier. First, Sebastian de Klerk broke down the right and found the scrumhalf on his inside. Minutes later, Stravino Jacobs created the same picture, freeing Papier to score under the posts again. Flyhalf Keagan Johannes converted both to narrow the gap to 17-14.

Jacobs with the gas ⚡ Papier with the dive 💥

Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby cross the line in style 🐂

📺 Watch every VURC match LIVE on SuperSport 🏉@Vodacom #URC | #BULvLIO pic.twitter.com/AsOwHyj4PX

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) November 29, 2025

The Lions responded through flanker Jarod Cairns, who finished in the corner, before the Bulls had the final say of the half via a well-constructed maul try for hooker Akker van der Merwe. Johannes missed the conversion, leaving the Lions 22-19 ahead at the break.

The Bulls controlled field position early in the second half, stringing together long phases and threatening from consecutive mauls inside the Lions 22. The visitors held firm, with a big scrum penalty on their 5m line and a crucial turnover from lock Etienne Oosthuizen relieving pressure.

Moments later, centre Bronson Mills produced a superb 50-22 to shift momentum. From the resulting lineout, Oosthuizen powered over and Smith converted from touch to restore a 29-19 cushion.

Bronson Mills puts it on a dime 🎯

One of the finest 50:22’s you’ll ever see! Magic off the boot 👟🔥

📺 Watch every VURC match LIVE on SuperSport 🏉@Vodacom #URC | #BULvLIO pic.twitter.com/53KoFy7kvB

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) November 29, 2025

The Lions pushed clear in the final quarter. A dominant scrum created space for winger Eduan Keyter to score the bonus-point try, before Steyn added his second from a quick transition sparked by Mpeku. Smith converted both as the visitors surged to 41-19.

Johannes and De Klerk crossed late to secure the Bulls a bonus point, but the Lions had done enough to seal a deserved derby win.

The Lions now turn their attention to the EPCR Challenge Cup, and a home clash against Benetton next Saturday, while the Bulls welcome defending Champions Cup winners Bordeaux Bègles to Loftus.

LIONS – Tries: Etienne Oosthuizen, Jarod Cairns, Nico Steyn (2), Kelly Mpeku, Eduan Keyter. Conversions: Chris Smith (5). Penalty goal: Chris Smith.
BULLS – Tries: Akker van der Merwe, Embrose Papier (2), Keagan Johannes, Sebastian de Klerk. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (4).

Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images