Lions defeat Glasgow Warriors 54-12 at Ellis Park

Johannesburg side avenged earlier 42-0 loss with eight-try performance against United Rugby Championship leaders.

The Lions secured their position in the United Rugby Championship top eight with a 54-12 victory over table-topping Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park¹². The Johannesburg side scored eight tries against the Scottish outfit, which had defeated them 42-0 in an away fixture earlier in 2025¹².

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen attributed the result to a defensive strategy that denied Glasgow attacking lineouts, which he described as the platform from which the Scottish side "are deadly"¹². "They are almost impossible to stop when they attack you in your 22," van Rooyen said¹². "The moment you switch off they will exploit you because they are so good at attacking space."²

Van Rooyen said the Lions benefited from an additional week of preparation, as the team was not involved in the Champions and Challenge Cups¹². He said the side was determined not to concede penalties or allow Glasgow attacking lineouts¹². "If you're going to give them entries there, it's impossible to defend all of their options," he said¹².

The coach recalled the earlier defeat, saying Glasgow had been "way too good" and had taught his side "a lesson in tempo, quick ball and pressure"¹². He said he was "extremely proud of the hard work and effort" his players had put in¹². Van Rooyen said Glasgow were the quickest team in the tournament at scoring points in the opening minutes of matches¹².