SEVEN MATCHES, A DRAW AND A SEMI-FINAL IN KIMBERLEY
The Lions' 2026 Currie Cup in full, in date order.
ROUND 1 · 19 Jul 2026 · Bloemfontein
LIONS 27 TOYOTA CHEETAHS 29
LOSTROUND 2 · 25 Jul 2026 · Ellis Park
LIONS 52 AIRLINK PUMAS 29
WONROUND 3 · 01 Aug 2026 · Ellis Park
LIONS 42 BLUE BULLS 19
WONROUND 4 · 08 Aug 2026 · Kimberley
LIONS 19 SUZUKI GRIQUAS 31
LOSTROUND 5 · 14 Aug 2026 · Ellis Park
LIONS 29 SANLAM BOLAND KAVALIERS 38
LOSTROUND 6 · 21 Aug 2026 · Durban
LIONS 22 SHARKS XV 22
DREWROUND 7 · 28 Aug 2026 · Ellis Park
LIONS 36 DHL STORMERS XXIII 12
WONSEMI-FINAL · 06 Sep 2026 · Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley
LIONS 12 SUZUKI GRIQUAS 52
LOSTTHE RECORD. Played seven, won three, drew one, lost three. 227 points scored, 180 conceded, a difference of plus forty-seven. Fourth in the league phase.
THE READING. A positive difference and a fourth-place finish do not belong together. Two results explain the gap: a two-point defeat in Bloemfontein on the opening weekend, and a home loss to Boland Kavaliers on 14 August. Either one reversed and the Lions host a semi-final rather than travelling to the champions.
THE QUESTION. The Currie Cup is where this club develops the players its URC squad depends on. Can that job be done without the competition itself becoming something the Lions expect to lose?
A positive points difference and a fourth-place finish do not belong together.
- 01Currie Cup 2026 — the campaign in full
- 02The semi-final at Griqua Park, Kimberley