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2025/2026 United Rugby Championship
Round 8 (rescheduled)
Lions vs Sharks
Emirates Airline Park (Ellis Park)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Saturday, 21 February 2026
Kick-off is at 14h00
Lions will lock horns with Sharks in a rescheduled United Rugby Championship matchday eight fixture at the Emirates Airline Park on 21 February.
Current Form
Lions suffered a 52-17 defeat to Bulls in their last game which was a United Rugby Championship match played at the Emirates Airline Park on January 31.
As a result, Lions are winless in their last three matches across all competitions having registered two consecutive draws and one defeat.
Sharks, on the other hand, emerged as 36-24 winners over Stormers in their last game which was a United Rugby Championship match played at the King's Park Stadium on January 31.
Therefore, Sharks are unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions having registered three consecutive victories.
Team News
No new injuries or suspensions have been reported for Lions ahead of their URC clash against Sharks.
The squad appears stable following their recent heavy loss to the Bulls and no fresh concerns highlighted in the team so far.
For the Sharks, there are also no fresh injury or suspension updates specific to this fixture.
However, Eben Etzebeth remains sidelined long-term due to his ongoing 12-week ban (from December 2025) which keeps him out until late March or April.
Quotes
“If you look at our next two games, we play the Lions and Vodacom Bulls, both away from home, so we’ll take a break, then reset for what’s coming,” Sharks head coach JP Pietersen said.
“It’s really special. I see our groundsman MJ every day, but to have him smiling and jumping on me after this win, to see him so happy just makes my day.
“And everyone who works here at the union, what this win means to them all. The players understand this too.”
Head-to-Head
In their most recent clashes, the Lions secured a 23-22 win over Sharks in Durban on 3 January 2026.
Lions and Sharks have played nine matches in the United Rugby Championship since its inception.
Lions have won four, the Sharks winning three, and the remaining two results varying by source, though recent form shows the Lions dominating the last five encounters (three wins to the Sharks' two).
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