Overview
- The bonus-point win lifts the Lions above the Bulls into seventh place on the URC table after their first Loftus victory since 2023.
- Johan Ackermann said the Bulls were undone by soft turnovers, poor passing accuracy, breakdown lapses and flawed game management under pressure.
- Ivan van Rooyen credited a month of work on physicality, set-piece efficiency and pressure-kicking plans designed to limit the Bulls’ back three.
- A fast start set the tone as the Lions surged 17-0 ahead, then regained control after halftime despite the Bulls crossing for five tries.
- The Bulls now pivot to an Investec Champions Cup opener against reigning French champions Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus, while the Lions face an away-heavy EPCR slate that will test squad management.