Team News

The full Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixture list for the 2025/26 season has been officially released — marking the earliest-ever publication of league fixtures in competition history.

Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen will rely on Lubabalo Dobela to spearhead his attack as his side welcome Welsh opponents Ospreys in the final round of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship this Saturday. 

That’s the mission according Emirates Lions’ defence guru and Springbok legend Jaque Fourie as his side welcome Welsh outfit Scarlets in Round 17 of the Vodacom Unite Rugby Championship this Mother’s Day.

Saturday’s Round 16 Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash sees the Johannesburg side lock horns with Irish outfit Connacht at Emirates Airline. Kick-off is at 16:00.

The Emirates Lions are back in Johannesburg for the remainder of the regular Vodacom United Rugby Championship season in what will be a crucial four-week period for the franchise.

The Emirates Lions will look to dust off a disappointing outing last weekend in Glasgow as they shift their attention the Round of 16 knockout clash against another Scottish outfit Edinburgh Rugby.

Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named an unchanged starting XV ahead of their Round 14 Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash against Glasgow Warriors on Saturday evening.

The Emirates Lions face up to Cardiff Rugby this Friday night for Round 13 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. Head coach Ivan van Rooyen’s squad was boosted by the return of Springboks Ruan Venter and Quan Horn, both who feature in the starting XV ahead of their match under lights at Cardiff Arms Park.

The Emirates Lions have made two changes to their starting XV ahead of their rescheduled Round 1 encounter against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban this Saturday. Flanker Sibabalo Qoma replaces Springbok Ruan Venter in the loose trio. Venter is undergoing the mandatory return to play protocol after suffering a head knock against the same opposition last week.

Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has included star poacher JC Pretorius ahead of his side’s Round 12 clash with the Hollywoodbets Sharks, while Manuel Rass and Tapiwa Mafura start at outside centre and fullback respectively.