Two South African rivals meet in Johannesburg
Watch Lions v Bulls for today’s clash between two South African teams on a hot and dry afternoon in Johannesburg. Below you’ll find options to watch this United Rugby Championship match wherever you are in the world – including details of how fans in New Zealand can watch for free.
The URC has been on a break since New Year’s Day to make way for the European competitions. The Bulls’ comfortable victory against Stade Français last weekend wasn’t enough to carry them through the Champions Cup group stages, but they’ve had some solid results in this league, with victories over Edinburgh, Ospreys, Ulster, Treviso and Connacht.
The Lions, meanwhile, secured their place in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup with victory over the Dragons. They started their URC campaign with wins over Ulster, Edinburgh, the Dragons and Zebre, but are now looking to end a run of three straight defeats to Leinster, Munster and the Stormers.
Eight places separate these sides in the championship table, but the league is so tight that a bonus point win for the Lions would move them within a point of their fourth-placed rivals.
Read on to find all the information you need to watch Lions v Bulls live streams today, including broadcaster options around the world. Scroll down to the end of the article for the team line-ups and officials.
Lions v Bulls: key information
– Lions v Bulls date: Saturday 25 January, 2025
– Lions v Bulls kick-off time: 12.45pm GMT / 2.45pm SAST / 7.45am ET
– Lions v Bulls free stream: TVNZ+ (New Zealand)
– Lions v Bulls TV channels: Premier Sports (UK/Ireland), FloRugby (US), SuperSport (South Africa), Sportsnet (Canada)
– Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk-free
Watch Lions v Bulls FREE live stream in New Zealand
Although many URC matches are pay-TV broadcasts, there is a free Sharks v Bulls live stream available.
New Zealand’s TVNZ+ boasts an eclectic array of rights, including the United Rugby Championship. Lions v Bulls is one of a number of games available to stream for free this weekend. All you need to do is set up an account, but note that the stream is geo-restricted to New Zealand. Kick-off is at 1.45am NZDT in the early hours of Sunday morning.
If you’re away from New Zealand at the moment, you can still tune in by using a VPN – more on that below.
Watch Lions v Bulls from anywhere
If you want to watch Lions v Bulls coverage from your home country’s broadcaster but are abroad, you can do so by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
A VPN is a handy piece of software that allows you to change your device’s IP address. This means you can view live or on-demand TV content as if you were sitting at home in front of your own television, even when you’re overseas (provided it complies with your service’s T&Cs, of course).
The technology experts from TechRadar love NordVPN for its strong privacy features, ease of use, and the fact it allows you to watch your favourite TV on multiple devices simultaneously. You also get a money-back guarantee, 24/7 support, and it’s currently available at a knockdown price.
Lions v Bulls live stream in South Africa
Rugby fans in South Africa can watch Lions v Bulls on SuperSport.
SuperSport is a subscription service, with various SuperSport packages available, covering traditional TV on DStv and direct live streaming.
Watch Lions v Bulls in the UK
Premier Sports has the rights to every United Rugby Championship match in the UK, including Lions v Bulls.
You can get Premier Sports on your TV by adding it to your existing package with Sky or Virgin Media, at £15.99 per month. Alternatively, you can get a standalone online streaming subscription. This works across a variety of apps and devices, and costs £15 a month on a rolling basis, £10.99 a month on a year-long contract, or £120 a year if you pay up front.
If you’re a UK resident away from home but want your usual United Rugby Championship Cup coverage, it’s best to check out NordVPN so you can watch from abroad. Find out more below.
- See also: United Rugby Championship fixtures
Watch Lions v Bulls in Ireland
Premier Sports is also the place to go to watch Lions v Bulls in Ireland. You can get Premier Sports Ireland added to your TV package but unlike the UK there is no dedicated streaming service. To watch online, you have to do so through Now TV, which usually costs €33.99 but is currently available for $17.00.
Watch a Lions v Bulls live stream in the USA
FloRugby has the rights to the United Rugby Championship and will host a Lions v Bulls live stream today.
A FloRugby monthly subscription costs $29.99, or you can take out an annual one for $150 (which works out at $12.50 per month).
Watch Lions v Bulls in Canada
Sportsnet is the place to go for Lions v Bulls live streams if you’re in Canada.
You’ll need the Premium subscription to watch the rugby, which costs $34.99 per month, or $20.83 a month if you commit to a full year.
Live stream Lions v Bulls from elsewhere
There are other live streams for Lions v Bulls. URC TV will host a stream in certain countries in the world, with a game pass usually costing in the region of US$10. Check URC TV to see if this would be available in your region.
Lions v Bulls team line-ups and officials
Lions
Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Rynhardt Jonker, Edwill van der Merwe, Sam Francis, Morne van den Berg; Juan Schoeman, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Etienne Oosthuizen, Ruan Delport, JC Pretorius, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn
Replacements:
Jaco Visagie, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Raynard Roets, WJ Steenkamp, Nico Steyn, Gianni Lombard, Manuel Rass
Bulls
Devon Williams, Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Sergeal Petersen, Boeta Chamberlain, Embrose Papier; Gerhard Steenekamp, Johann Grobbelaar, Wilco Louw, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje, Marcell Coetzee, Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom
Replacements:
Akker van der Merwe, Alulutho Tshakweni, François Klopper, Reinhardt Ludwig, Nizaam Carr, Keagan Johannes, Canan Moodie, Willie Le Roux
The referee for today’s Lions v Bulls encounter is Marius van der Westhuizen. He’s assisted by Griffin Colby and Cwengile Jadezweni, with Quinton Immelman on TMO duties.
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