In the end, it was an underwhelming display by the visitors after arriving at Loftus Versfeld with high hopes of claiming a consecutive victory in the tournament. But, it was the Bulls who had the last laugh as they got back to winning ways in front of their home crowd.
Independent Newspapers looks at five players who stood out from the Jukskei derby clash.
Willie le Roux
He copped a fair bit of criticism for his performance last weekend against the Sharks but made up with some good touches against the Lions.
Le Roux is still not the answer at flyhalf, but how he got the team on the front foot in the opening exchanges shows what he can do when used in bits and pieces as the playmaker from a first or second-receiver position.
He ran a fantastic line to score a brilliant try off a line-out that cut the Lions’ ordinary defence to pieces and assisted the first five-pointer.
Stedman Gans
Despite copping a yellow card for a professional foul, the outside centre was in absolute destructive form as he put in a spectacular performance.
He overshadowed his direct opponent Henco van Wyk in that first half, especially as his running lines cut the Lions up a few times. Gans worked in tandem with Le Roux and that sparked the Bulls backline.
Their defensive organisation was better with Gans the outside centre and they shut the Lions’ dangerous attack down well throughout the clash.
Your @Vodacom Player of the Match ⭐️
🏅 Stedman Gans | Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby @Vodacom #URC | #BULvLIO pic.twitter.com/Yr6a2lGawk
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) February 22, 2025
Wilco Louw
Is there any loosehead in the URC who can stop the bulldozing tighthead prop when he gets going in the scrums?
Another strong display by the Bok number three, emphasising his importance for the Bulls at scrum time. But, it’s not just that. As a prop, he consistently works for 60-plus minutes on the field, making his tackles and carrying balls on the attack.
Louw has been one of the best Bulls players in this campaign and he backed up his scrummaging prowess with another excellent performance this past weekend.
Bulls very lucky to get away with cynical yellow card infringements. Wilco Louw is my MoM, currently best tighthead in SA, scrummaging, makes his tackles & outstanding fitness for a prop. #SSRugby #BULvLIO
— Nqaba N@M (@ProfessorRugby) February 22, 2025
Cobus Wiese
The hard-working lock had another powerful performance against the Lions after returning from a small injury picked up against the Stormers.
Wiese, who is currently part of the Bok conversations, is the fire in the Bulls’ engine when it comes to making the hard yards on the attack and he clattered into tacklers when carrying the ball. Equally, he was not afraid to put his body on the line when defending.
More performances like Saturday’s will surely keep Wiese in the national frame as he looks to make the four-lock jersey his own a the Bulls.
Edwill van der Merwe
About the only Lions backline player who looked dangerous every time he touched the ball on the attack against the Bulls.
Created a bit of magic on the attack down the touchline to set up one of the Lions’ three tries. He chased down his own kick and got a penalty off it. Centre Henco van Wyk took a quick tap and rounded off the brilliant move.
That try-saving tackle on Bulls eighthman Mpilo Gumede also shows his commitment on defence too, never giving up even when the cause seems lost.
