Ellis Park in Johannesburg hosts a pivotal Round 5 fixture in the United Rugby Championship as the Lions welcome Ulster Rugby on Saturday, Oct. 25. Kickoff is set for 7:45 a.m. ET, with live coverage on FloRugby and FloSports app. Referee Ben Connor (WRU) will oversee his fifth league game, assisted by Christopher Allison and Sean Muller, with Ben Whitehouse serving as TMO.
The Lions enter the contest aiming to build momentum after earning a five-point result last week, despite not being at their sharpest.
Ulster, meanwhile, travel to South Africa looking to rediscover consistency after a mixed start to their campaign, bolstered by the form of playmaker Nathan Doak and veteran hooker Rob Herring. Both sides feature strong forward packs and dynamic backlines capable of swinging momentum in open play.
Lions kicking coach Morne Steyn said the team is eager to carry over its winning mentality into another home challenge.
2025 Emirates Lions vs Ulster Rugby
“Looking back, I didn’t think it was our best game, but still we got five points,” Steyn said. “That’s a positive for us. You don’t play great rugby, but still get five points, that’s great for the game coming up.”
Steyn added that the home altitude could play a key role in the physical matchup against Ulster.
“Ulster are a quality team,” Steyn said. “They’ve got great forwards and exciting backs. From nine to 15, almost all of them can kick, so it’s going to be a tough, physical battle. Luckily, we play in Joburg, so hopefully we can tire them a bit and run them around.”
Lions vs. Ulster Rugby Kickoff Time, Lineups
Saturday, Oct. 25 — Kickoff at 7:45 a.m. ET at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Referee: Ben Connor (WRU). ARs: Christopher Allison (SARU), Sean Muller (SARU). TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU).
How To Watch Lions vs. Ulster Rugby
Watch Lions vs. Ulster Rugby live in the United States on FloRugby and the FloSports app, with full match replays and highlights available on demand after the final whistle.
Lions Lineup vs. Ulster Rugby
- Starting 15: Quan Horn; Eduan Keyter, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Angelo Davids; Chris Smith, Nico Steyn; SJ Kotze, Franco Marais, Asenathi Ntlabakanye; Etienne Oosthuizen, Reinhard Nothnagel; Jarod Cairns, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn (CAPT).
- Replacements: Morne Brandon, RF Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Darrien Landsberg, Renzo du Plessis, Layton Horn, Gianni Lombard, Kelly Mpeku.
Ulster Rugby Lineup vs. Lions
- Starting 15: Michael Lowry; Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Jude Postlethwaite, Zac Ward; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Sam Crean, Rob Herring (CAPT), Tom O’Toole; Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes; David McCann, Tom Stewart, Juarno Augustus.
- Replacements: James McCormick, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Bryn Ward, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Werner Kok.
Subscribe To Watch Rugby All Year Long With A FloRugby Annual Subscription
Stream the BKT URC, Gallagher PREM Rugby, Top 14, Investec Champions Cup, and EPCR Challenge Cup all season long with a FloRugby annual subscription.
URC Standings 2025: Round 4
- DHL Stormers (19) – 4-0-0
- Munster Rugby (19) – 4-0-0
- Glasgow Warriors (16) – 3-1-0
- Cardiff Rugby (16) – 3-1-0
- Ulster Rugby (15) – 3-0-0
- Vodacom Bulls (14) – 3-1-0
- Benetton Rugby (9) – 2-2-0
- Zebre Parma (9) – 2-2-0
- Edinburgh Rugby (8) – 1-2-0
- Connacht Rugby (8) – 1-2-0
- Lions (6) – 1-3-0
- Leinster Rugby (6) – 1-3-0
- Ospreys (5) – 1-3-0
- Hollywoodbets Sharks (3) – 0-3-1
- Dragons RFC (3) – 0-3-1
- Scarlets (0) – 0-3-0
Team (Pts.) – W-L-D
URC Standings 2025: Round 3
- DHL Stormers (14) – 3-0-0
- Munster Rugby (14) – 3-0-0
- Glasgow Warriors (11) – 2-1-0
- Cardiff Rugby (11) – 2-1-0
- Ulster Rugby (10) – 2-0-0
- Vodacom Bulls (10) – 2-1-0
- Benetton Rugby (9) – 2-1-0
- Zebre Parma (9) – 2-1-0
- Connacht Rugby (6) – 1-1-0
- Leinster Rugby (6) – 1-2-0
- Ospreys (5) – 1-2-0
- Edinburgh Rugby (3) – 0-2-0
- Hollywoodbets Sharks (2) – 0-2-1
- Dragons RFC (2) – 0-2-1
- Lions (1) – 0-3-0
- Scarlets (0) – 0-2-0
Team (Pts.) – W-L-D
URC Results 2025: Round 4
- Edinburgh 43 – 0 Benetton
- Connacht 27 – 28 Vodacom Bulls
- Dragons RFC 17 – 24 Cardiff Rugby
- Lions 29 – 18 Scarlets
- Hollywoodbets Sharks 26 – 34 Ulster
- Leinster 14 – 31 Munster
- Zebre Parma 13 – 31 DHL Stormers
- Ospreys 17 – 42 Glasgow Warriors
URC Schedule 2025: Round 5
Oct. 24, 2025
- Glasgow Warriors vs. Vodacom Bulls – 2:45 PM ET
Oct. 25, 2025
- Lions vs. Ulster – 7:45 AM ET
- Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Scarlets – 10 AM ET
- Leinster vs. Zebre Parma – 12:30 PM ET
- Benetton vs. DHL Stormers – 12:30 PM ET
- Dragons RFC vs. Ospreys – 1:00 PM ET
- Munster vs. Connacht – 2:45 PM ET
- Cardiff Rugby vs. Edinburgh – 2:45 PM ET
How To Watch URC Rugby 2025
Watch URC rugby matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
Watch Leinster vs. Munster Highlights | URC Round 4, Irish Derby 2025
European Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby
Rugby fans can stream every match from the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship on FloRugby, along with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, making the platform the U.S. home for the world’s biggest club competitions and the game’s top players.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.
Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social
