The Emirates Lions enter the 2025–26 United Rugby Championship looking to climb from their 11th-place finish a year ago. Despite inconsistency, they showcased a young core capable of scoring freely while relying on set-piece stability. 

The Lions remain one of South Africa’s proudest rugby institutions, playing out of Ellis Park and continuing a lineage that stretches back through Transvaal and the Cats era before becoming the Lions in Super Rugby.

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This season, their challenge will be converting promise into wins. Statistically, they were strong at the scrum and lineout but struggled with defensive discipline. 

With no players in the FloRugby Top 100, the Lions must rely on cohesion, depth, and home advantage in Johannesburg.

Lions’ Set-Piece Is A Weapon

The Lions were among the most reliable scrummaging sides in the league last season, winning 96 of 100 scrums (96%). They were nearly as efficient in the lineout, securing 229 wins at an 89% success rate with 21 steals. These numbers establish the Lions as a team that can pressure opponents up front and secure clean possession. For a side still developing its backline firepower, dominance at the set-piece is the foundation of their competitiveness.

Attack Produces, Defense Leaks

The Lions scored 402 points and 53 tries in 2024–25, showing they can generate offense. They gained over 7,000 metres with ball in hand and beat 427 defenders. However, defense was a glaring weakness. They conceded 478 points, made 2,738 tackles with just 77% success, and conceded 162 penalties. If the Lions are to push for the playoffs, tightening discipline and improving their tackle percentage will be essential.

Building Around Youth And Depth

Unlike fellow South African sides, the Lions have no players ranked in FloRugby’s Top 100. Their squad is stacked with emerging South African talent such as scrum-half Sanele Nohamba and centre Henco van Wyk. While international stardom is absent, this approach reflects their identity as a developmental club. If these young players take a step forward, the Lions could surprise bigger-budget teams in 2025–26.

How To Watch Emirates Lions Rugby in the U.S.

All Emirates Lions matches in the 2025–26 URC season will stream live on FloRugby in the United States. Games are also available on the FloSports app, which can be accessed on mobile devices, smart TVs, and tablets.

Subscribe To The FloRugby Annual Plan To Watch Every Emirates Lions Match in 2025–26

The best way to follow the Emirates Lions all season is with the FloRugby annual plan. The subscription includes every URC match plus the Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, and more international rugby.

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: 

• United Rugby Championship
• PREM Rugby
• Top 14
• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays. 

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