Rugby
URC: Lions vs Stormers Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: Saturday, 15 February, 2025 Venue: Ellis Park Stadium Kickoff Time: 14:30 (SAST) SportsBoom gives you an early build-up for the Lions vs the Stormers. This United Rugby Championship match takes place at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 15 February 2025. There are so many stats to talk about. There are also plenty of fascinating thoughts about this game that need to be discussed. Get the best betting analysis about the leading online rugby betting sites to wager with. Read SportsBoom’s match preview before betting on the URC.
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United Rugby Championship Emirates Lions v Edinburgh//Getty Images
The Johannesburg-based team currently sit in 13th position on the URC table with 19 points from eight matches played which includes four wins and four defeats. Meanwhile, the inaugural URC champions (2022) currently find themselves in a disappointing 12th place on the table with 21 points from nine matches played which includes four wins and five losses.
The Stormers won the first-ever United Rugby Championship title in 2022. They beat the Bulls 18-13 in the final. The Cape Town-based team lost the final in 2023 and were knocked out in the quarter-finals in 2024.
The Cape Town-based team have won five matches in a row against the Lions. The most recent match between these teams took place on the 21st of December 2024. The Stormers produced a powerful display to win this game 29-10. They outscored the Lions by five tries to two in this match.
PRE-GAME ODDS AND WIN PROBABILITY
LIONS FAVOURITES
SportsBoom has researched leading online betting sites in South Africa. Below you’ll find the best odds for the Lions vs the Stormers.
Home: 59/100 (1.59) - 62,9%
Draw: 23/1 (24) - 4,2%
Away: 33/20 (2.65) - 37,7%
*Odds courtesy of Betway, subject to change.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Last Five Matches (United Rugby Championship)
21/12/24: Stormers 29-10 Lions
21/10/23: Lions 33-35 Stormers
31/12/22: Stormers 40-8 Lions
29/10/22: Lions 22-31 Stormers
12/02/22: Lions 10-32 Stormers
LIONS: CURRENT FORM - LWLLW
The Lions head into this match in losing form, having won just two of their last five matches played. The Lions lost 35-22 to the Bulls on the 25th of January. They also smashed the Dragons 60-10 in a powerful display of running rugby, and they were beaten 28-5 by Montpellier. The Lions also beat Pau 43-35 in a high-scoring game.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Asenathi Ntlabakanye: The man they call the Jozi Bulldozer is an asset for the Lions. For opposing teams he is a frightening prospect. The prop weighs over 140 kilograms. This makes him one of the heaviest players in the game! There is no denying that in a contact sport like rugby, a player with this weight and power is worth their value in gold.
- Edwill van der Merwe: This wing can step the opposition inside a phone booth. He is a hot stepper and one of the best in the business. Edwill van der Merwe would be selected for any national team in the world! He has all the ingredients of a top test player. Such is the depth in Bok rugby that the likes of Cheslink Kolbe, Kurt Lee Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi are ahead of him.
- Morne van den Berg: The Springbok scrum-half is quick to the base of the ruck. He has good distribution skills. Morne van den Berg is fast around the fringes of the ruck. He can be tricky to tackle as he has good pace. Van den Berg has the ability to vary the game with a pass and a chip kick into space.
LIONS TEAM NEWS
Head coach Ivan van Rooyen provided an injury update on some players who have been out for some time.
“Rabz Maxwane is unfortunately out for a while, he’s been operated on.” Besides for Maxwane, the Lions have a fully fit squad to choose from for this game against the Stormers.
STORMERS: CURRENT FORM - LLWWW
The Stormers lost 33-32 against the Bulls on the 8th of February. Their defence leaked tries in a 36-12 defeat against Leinster on the 25th of January. They also lost 31-22 away to Racing 92. Before these games, they won three matches in a row across all competitions.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Leolin Zas: The skillful winger is in good tryscoring form. He has scored five tries throughout the URC. Leolin Zas is a good finisher. If he is given any space out wide, it will be try time for the Stormers.
- Deon Fourie: The Springbok Rugby World Cup winner is a golden oldie. The dynamic flanker plays rugby like fine wine. Deon Fourie is still playing incredible rugby at the age of 38. He is the breakdown king. Brannas will secure the Stormers key turnovers. He is also a physical ball carrier, and exceptional at tackling and defence.
- Warrick Gelant: The mercurial fullback will bring his attacking arsenal to the game against the Lions. Warrick Gelant has made 17 offloads this season. Even if the opposition does close down the space and tackle him, the offload is likely to create opportunities for the Stormers.
STORMERS TEAM NEWS
Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok missed the game against the Bulls due to injury. He is doubtful to play any part in this match against the Lions. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is stil recovering from an injury and he also misses out on this match. Prop Neethling Fouche is doubtful for this match due to a concussion which he sustained.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Stormers: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Sti Sithole.
SUGGESTED BETS
Winning Margin - Lions by 8-14: Ellis Park is suited to running rugby and tries. The Lions and the Stormers both play an expansive game. Historically there have been tries in matches between these teams. We expect this game to produce plenty of five pointers. The Lions will win this game by 8-14 points. (33/10 with Betway) (33/10 with 1Win)
Odd/Even Points - Even: Three out of the last five matches played between the Lions and the Stormers have ended with an even amount of points. (21/25 with Betway) (83/100 with 1Win)
VALUE BETS
Evan Roos - Anytime Tryscorer: The Stormers number eight is a modern day back-row that can mix his game up with pace and physicality. He is the type of player that can run forty metres and dot down for a spectacular try. *Odds not live at time of writing.
Quan Horn - Anytime Tryscorer: Quan Horn has a big boot and can run the ball and find good territorial distance from the boot. He is also a capable tryscorer. *Odds not live at time of writing.
PREDICTION: LIONS TO WIN
SportsBoom believes that the time is now for the Lions to finally get a win against the Stormers and end their losing streak against this opposition. The Stormers are there for the taking. We believe that this game will be closely contested but the home team will do enough to get the victory.
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