Lions vs Dragons | United Rugby Championship

Lions

Dragons

Saturday 28 Mar 2026

Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

Lions

Dragons

Tries

Erich Cronje 66'

Nico Steyn 62'; 54'

Chris William Smith 49'

Richard Kriel 25'

Sibabalwe Mahashe 4'

Rio Dyer 69'; 46';

Aneurin Owen 31'14'

Conversions

Chris William Smith 62'; 50'; 26'

Angus O'Brien 46'; 32'; 15';

Penalties

Chris William Smith 38'; 17'

05:07

Lions v Dragons | Match in 5 Minutes | URC

00:18

Erich Cronje | 67ᵗʰ Minute Try v Dragons

00:22

Richard Kriel | 26ᵗʰ Minute Try v Dragons

Timeline

End of Second Half

80'

Renzo Du Plessis

Out: Sibabalwe Mahashe

73'

Rio Dyer

Try

69'

Haashim Pead

Out: Nico Steyn

68'

Erich Cronje

Try

66'

Morne Brandon

Out: PJ Botha

63'

Eddie Davids

Out: SJ Kotze

63'

Sebastian Lombard

Out: RF Schoeman

63'

Chris William Smith

Conversion

62'

Nico Steyn

Try

62'

Matthew Screech

Out: Seb Davies

60'

Ruan Delport

Out: Ruan Venter

58'

Fetuli Paea

Out: Fine Inisi

58'

Harrison Keddie

Out: Thomas Young

55'

Jac Lloyd

Out: Rhodri Williams

55'

Nico Steyn

Try

54'

Rio Dyer

Yellow Card

53'

Bathobele Hlekani

Out: Etienne Oosthuizen

50'

Elliot Dee

Out: Brodie Coghlan

50'

Jordan Morris

Out: Rodrigo Martinez

50'

Owain James

Out: Chris Coleman

50'

Chris William Smith

Conversion

50'

Chris William Smith

Try

49'

Angus O'Brien

Conversion

46'

Rio Dyer

Try

46'

Start of Second Half

40'

End of First Half

43'

Chris William Smith

Penalty

38'

Angus O'Brien

Conversion

32'

Aneurin Owen

Try

31'

Ruan Venter

Out: Bathobele Hlekani

28'

Chris William Smith

Conversion

26'

Richard Kriel

Try

25'

Chris William Smith

Penalty

17'

Bathobele Hlekani

Out: Ruan Venter

16'

Angus O'Brien

Conversion

15'

Richard Kriel

Out: Bronson Mills

15'

Aneurin Owen

Try

14'

Sibabalwe Mahashe

Try

Rhodri Williams

Out: Niall Armstrong

Start of First Half

Top Stats

Tries

Conversions

Penalties

See Full Stats

Current Standings

POS

Team

Pts

Lions

Dragons

-83

See Full Table

Top Performers

Ball Carries

A. Wainwright

Ball Carries: 13

Tackles

A. Owen

Tackles: 10

Points

C. Smith

Points: 17

Insights

United Rugby Championship

Points per match

2919

Tries per match

Penalties Conceded per match

1011

Match Information

Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

United Rugby Championship

Channel 211, SS Rugby

Saturday 28 Mar 2026

Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

Lions

Dragons

Tries

Erich Cronje 66'

Nico Steyn 62'; 54'

Chris William Smith 49'

Richard Kriel 25'

Sibabalwe Mahashe 4'

Rio Dyer 69'; 46';

Aneurin Owen 31'14'

Conversions

Chris William Smith 62'; 50'; 26'

Angus O'Brien 46'; 32'; 15';

Penalties

Chris William Smith 38'; 17'

Timeline

End of Second Half

80'

Renzo Du Plessis

Out: Sibabalwe Mahashe

73'

Rio Dyer

Try

69'

Haashim Pead

Out: Nico Steyn

68'

Erich Cronje

Try

66'

Morne Brandon

Out: PJ Botha

63'

Eddie Davids

Out: SJ Kotze

63'

Sebastian Lombard

Out: RF Schoeman

63'

Chris William Smith

Conversion

62'

Nico Steyn

Try

62'

Matthew Screech

Out: Seb Davies

60'

Ruan Delport

Out: Ruan Venter

58'

Fetuli Paea

Out: Fine Inisi

58'

Harrison Keddie

Out: Thomas Young

55'

Jac Lloyd

Out: Rhodri Williams

55'

Nico Steyn

Try

54'

Rio Dyer

Yellow Card

53'

Bathobele Hlekani

Out: Etienne Oosthuizen

50'

Elliot Dee

Out: Brodie Coghlan

50'

Jordan Morris

Out: Rodrigo Martinez

50'

Owain James

Out: Chris Coleman

50'

Chris William Smith

Conversion

50'

Chris William Smith

Try

49'

Angus O'Brien

Conversion

46'

Rio Dyer

Try

46'

Start of Second Half

40'

End of First Half

43'

Chris William Smith

Penalty

38'

Angus O'Brien

Conversion

32'

Aneurin Owen

Try

31'

Ruan Venter

Out: Bathobele Hlekani

28'

Chris William Smith

Conversion

26'

Richard Kriel

Try

25'

Chris William Smith

Penalty

17'

Bathobele Hlekani

Out: Ruan Venter

16'

Angus O'Brien

Conversion

15'

Richard Kriel

Out: Bronson Mills

15'

Aneurin Owen

Try

14'

Sibabalwe Mahashe

Try

Rhodri Williams

Out: Niall Armstrong

Start of First Half

Top Stats

6Tries4

Conversions

Penalties

Drop Goals

Scrums

Lineouts

Possession

Territory

Handling Errors

Passes

174

135

Offload

Metres Gained

546

295

Clean Breaks

Kicks From Hand

Tackles

100

Missed Tackles

Mauls

Yellow Cards

Red Cards

Penalties Conceded

Head to Head

Previous 5 meetings

Won

Drawn

Won

EPCR Challenge Cup

United Rugby Championship

2 Dec 2023

49 - 24

United Rugby Championship

EPCR Challenge Cup

EPCR Challenge Cup

Head to Head

Previous 5 meetings

Won

Drawn

Won

Last 5 Meetings

EPCR Challenge Cup

United Rugby Championship

2 Dec 2023

49 - 24

United Rugby Championship

EPCR Challenge Cup

EPCR Challenge Cup

Form Guide

Last 5 matches

Lions

Ospreys 24 - 24 Lions

23 Jan 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Bulls 17 - 52 Lions

31 Jan 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Sharks 34 - 22 Lions

21 Feb 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Stormers 24 - 10 Lions

28 Feb 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Edinburgh 54 - 17 Lions

21 Mar 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Dragons

Newcastle Falcons 35 - 12 Dragons

16 Jan 2026 • EPCR Challenge Cup

Munster 22 - 20 Dragons

23 Jan 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Ospreys 19 - 13 Dragons

31 Jan 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Benetton Rugby 15 - 15 Dragons

28 Feb 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Stormers 29 - 21 Dragons

22 Mar 2026 • United Rugby Championship

Form Guide

Last 5 matches

Line Up

SJ Kotze

PJ Botha

RF Schoeman

Etienne Oostuizen

Reinhard Nothnagel

Sibabalwe Mahashe

Ruan Venter

Francke Horn

Nico Steyn

Chris Smith

Erich Cronje

Bronson Mills

Henco van Wyk

Angelo Davids

Quan Horn

Rodrigo Martinez

Brodie Coghlan

Chris Coleman

Seb Davies

Ben Carter

Ryan Woodman

Thomas Young

Aaron Wainwright

Niall Armstrong

Angus O'Brien

Rio Dyer

Aneurin Owen

Fine Inisi

Jared Rosser

Huw Anderson

Substitutes

Morne Brandon

Eddie Davids

Sebastian Lombard

Ruan Delport

Bathobele Hlekani

Renzo Du Plessis

Hassiem Pead

Richard Kriel

Elliot Dee

Jordan Morris

Owain James

Matthew Screech

Harrison Keddie

Rhodri Williams

Jac Lloyd

Fetuli Paea

Match Videos

05:07

Lions v Dragons | Match in 5 Minutes | URC

00:18

Erich Cronje | 67ᵗʰ Minute Try v Dragons

00:22

Richard Kriel | 26ᵗʰ Minute Try v Dragons

Commentary

80’

End of second half

It's all over! The referee Robbie Jenkinson has blown their whistle to end the game.

75’

Clean break

Huw Anderson

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

This is dangerous for the defence as Huw Anderson bursts through to advance the Dragons RFC attack.

73’

Substitution on

Renzo Du Plessis

Jersey Number 21 • Replacement 6

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Renzo Du Plessis getting some game time.

73’

Substitution off

Sibabalwe Mahashe

Jersey Number 6 • Forward 6

Lions decide to make a substitution, with Sibabalwe Mahashe being replaced.

71’

Clean break

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

A gap opened in the defence and Chris William Smith took full advantage.

70’

Conversion

Angus O'Brien

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Angus O'Brien curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

69’

Try

Rio Dyer

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

A series of passes by Dragons RFC results in a try for Rio Dyer

69’

Clean break

Rio Dyer

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

A gap opened in the defence and Rio Dyer took full advantage.

69’

Try assist

Aneurin Owen

Jersey Number 12 • Back 4

That's a great try assist by Aneurin Owen.

68’

Substitution on

Haashim Pead

Jersey Number 22 • Replacement 7

Lions make a substitution with Haashim Pead coming on.

68’

Substitution off

Nico Steyn

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

Lions make a substitution with Nico Steyn coming off.

67’

Conversion

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Chris William Smith curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

66’

Try

Erich Cronje

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

A series of passes by Lions results in a try for Erich Cronje

66’

Clean break

Erich Cronje

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

A gap opened in the defence and Erich Cronje took full advantage.

66’

Try assist

Sibabalwe Mahashe

Jersey Number 6 • Forward 6

Sibabalwe Mahashe sets up the try.

63’

Substitution on

Morne Brandon

Jersey Number 16 • Replacement 1

Lions sub Morne Brandon comes onto the field.

63’

Substitution off

PJ Botha

Jersey Number 2 • Forward 2

PJ Botha departs for Lions.

63’

Substitution on

Eddie Davids

Jersey Number 17 • Replacement 2

Lions sub Eddie Davids comes onto the field.

63’

Substitution off

SJ Kotze

Jersey Number 1 • Forward 1

SJ Kotze departs for Lions.

63’

Substitution on

Sebastian Lombard

Jersey Number 18 • Replacement 3

Lions sub Sebastian Lombard comes onto the field.

63’

Substitution off

RF Schoeman

Jersey Number 3 • Forward 3

RF Schoeman departs for Lions.

62’

Conversion

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

The Lions supporters go wild as Chris William Smith successfully kicks the conversion.

62’

Try

Nico Steyn

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

Lions are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Nico Steyn touching down.

62’

Clean break

Nico Steyn

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

The defensive line has been broken as Nico Steyn goes through the gap.

62’

Try assist

PJ Botha

Jersey Number 2 • Forward 2

Spellbinding play by PJ Botha is finished off with a try.

60’

Substitution on

Matthew Screech

Jersey Number 19 • Replacement 4

Dragons RFC sub Matthew Screech comes onto the field.

60’

Substitution off

Seb Davies

Jersey Number 4 • Forward 4

Seb Davies departs for Dragons RFC.

58’

Substitution on

Ruan Delport

Jersey Number 19 • Replacement 4

Ruan Delport comes on for Lions.

58’

Substitution off

Ruan Venter

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

Ruan Venter leaves the field.

58’

Substitution on

Fetuli Paea

Jersey Number 23 • Replacement 8

Fetuli Paea comes on for Dragons RFC.

58’

Substitution off

Fine Inisi

Jersey Number 13 • Back 5

Fine Inisi leaves the field.

55’

Substitution on

Harrison Keddie

Jersey Number 20 • Replacement 5

Harrison Keddie comes on for Dragons RFC.

55’

Substitution off

Thomas Young

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

Thomas Young leaves the field.

55’

Substitution on

Jac Lloyd

Jersey Number 22 • Replacement 7

Jac Lloyd comes on for Dragons RFC.

55’

Substitution off

Rhodri Williams

Jersey Number 21 • Replacement 6

Rhodri Williams leaves the field.

55’

Conversion

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Chris William Smith has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

54’

Try

Nico Steyn

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

A penetrating move by Lions results in a try for Nico Steyn.

54’

Clean break

Nico Steyn

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

What a run here by Nico Steyn as they get over the gainline!

54’

Try assist

Francke Horn

Jersey Number 8 • Forward 8

That's a great try assist by Francke Horn.

53’

Yellow card

Rio Dyer

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

Rio Dyer (Dragons RFC) is shown a yellow card

50’

Substitution on

Bathobele Hlekani

Jersey Number 20 • Replacement 5

Bathobele Hlekani comes on.

50’

Substitution off

Etienne Oosthuizen

Jersey Number 4 • Forward 4

Etienne Oosthuizen comes off.

50’

Substitution on

Elliot Dee

Jersey Number 16 • Replacement 1

Elliot Dee comes on.

50’

Substitution off

Brodie Coghlan

Jersey Number 2 • Forward 2

Brodie Coghlan comes off.

50’

Substitution on

Jordan Morris

Jersey Number 17 • Replacement 2

Jordan Morris comes on.

50’

Substitution off

Rodrigo Martinez

Jersey Number 1 • Forward 1

Rodrigo Martinez comes off.

50’

Substitution on

Owain James

Jersey Number 18 • Replacement 3

Owain James comes on.

50’

Substitution off

Chris Coleman

Jersey Number 3 • Forward 3

Chris Coleman comes off.

50’

Conversion

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

The touch judges raise their flags as Chris William Smith kicks the conversion.

49’

Try

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Chris William Smith dots the ball down from close range.

49’

Clean break

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Chris William Smith makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

48’

Clean break

Francke Horn

Jersey Number 8 • Forward 8

Francke Horn makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

46’

Conversion

Angus O'Brien

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Angus O'Brien adds the two points for Dragons RFC.

46’

Try

Rio Dyer

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

A clever kick there by Dragons RFC allows Rio Dyer to collect the ball and touch down for the try.

45’

Try assist

Angus O'Brien

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Spellbinding play by Angus O'Brien is finished off with a try.

43’

Clean break

Aaron Wainwright

Jersey Number 8 • Forward 8

Aaron Wainwright makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

40’

Start of second half

The second half kicks off.

43’

End of first half

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

38’

Penalty Goal - Kicked

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Chris William Smith has kicked a penalty goal.

36’

Clean break

Erich Cronje

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

Fabulous play by Lions has led to Erich Cronje being able to wriggle through a gap.

36’

Penalty Goal - Missed Left

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Lions decided to go for goal with Chris William Smith taking the penalty goal but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

32’

Conversion

Angus O'Brien

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Angus O'Brien does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

31’

Try

Aneurin Owen

Jersey Number 12 • Back 4

Silky skills by Dragons RFC ends with a try for Aneurin Owen.

31’

Try assist

Thomas Young

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

Spellbinding play by Thomas Young is finished off with a try.

31’

Clean break

Thomas Young

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

Trouble here as Thomas Young breaches the defence.

28’

Substitution on

Ruan Venter

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

Ruan Venter comes on.

28’

Substitution off

Bathobele Hlekani

Jersey Number 20 • Replacement 5

Bathobele Hlekani comes off.

26’

Conversion

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Chris William Smith makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

25’

Try

Richard Kriel

Jersey Number 23 • Replacement 8

Brilliant skill shown there by Richard Kriel as they go over the white wash for a try.

25’

Clean break

Richard Kriel

Jersey Number 23 • Replacement 8

Trouble here as Richard Kriel breaches the defence.

25’

Try assist

Quan Horn

Jersey Number 15 • Back 7

Quan Horn played a key part in that try.

17’

Penalty Goal - Kicked

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Chris William Smith does the business as their penalty goal attempt goes over.

16’

Substitution on

Bathobele Hlekani

Jersey Number 20 • Replacement 5

Lions make a substitution with Bathobele Hlekani coming on.

16’

Substitution off

Ruan Venter

Jersey Number 7 • Forward 7

Lions make a substitution with Ruan Venter coming off.

15’

Conversion

Angus O'Brien

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Angus O'Brien converts the try.

15’

Substitution on

Richard Kriel

Jersey Number 23 • Replacement 8

Lions make a substitution with Richard Kriel coming on.

15’

Substitution off

Bronson Mills

Jersey Number 12 • Back 4

Lions make a substitution with Bronson Mills coming off.

14’

Try

Aneurin Owen

Jersey Number 12 • Back 4

A series of passes by Dragons RFC results in a try for Aneurin Owen

14’

Try assist

Fine Inisi

Jersey Number 13 • Back 5

Spellbinding play by Fine Inisi is finished off with a try.

14’

Clean break

Fine Inisi

Jersey Number 13 • Back 5

A gap opened in the defence and Fine Inisi took full advantage.

10’

Clean break

Erich Cronje

Jersey Number 11 • Back 3

A gap opened in the defence and Erich Cronje took full advantage.

10’

Clean break

Bronson Mills

Jersey Number 12 • Back 4

A gap opened in the defence and Bronson Mills took full advantage.

5’

Conversion

Chris William Smith

Jersey Number 10 • Back 2

Chris William Smith has hooked the conversion to the left of the posts.

4’

Try

Sibabalwe Mahashe

Jersey Number 6 • Forward 6

Great hands by Lions leads to a try for Sibabalwe Mahashe

4’

Clean break

Sibabalwe Mahashe

Jersey Number 6 • Forward 6

The defensive line has been broken as Sibabalwe Mahashe goes through the gap.

4’

Try assist

Henco van Wyk

Jersey Number 13 • Back 5

That's a great try assist by Henco van Wyk.

2’

Substitution on

Rhodri Williams

Jersey Number 21 • Replacement 6

Rhodri Williams comes on.

2’

Substitution off

Niall Armstrong

Jersey Number 9 • Back 1

Niall Armstrong comes off.

2’

Clean break

Henco van Wyk

Jersey Number 13 • Back 5

The defensive line has been broken as Henco van Wyk goes through the gap.

0’

Start of first half

We are underway as the referee Robbie Jenkinson blows their whistle.

See All

Current Standings

POS

Team

Pts

Lions

Dragons

-83

See Full Table

Top Performers

Ball Carries

A. Wainwright

Ball Carries: 13

Tackles

A. Owen

Tackles: 10

Points

C. Smith

Points: 17

Insights

United Rugby Championship

Points per match

2919

Tries per match

Penalties Conceded per match

1011

Match Information

Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

United Rugby Championship

Channel 211, SS Rugby