In a stunning display of rugby prowess, Benetton Rugby secured a decisive 42-31 victory over the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon, April 19, 2025. This match marked Benetton's first-ever win in Johannesburg, and it significantly bolstered their chances of qualifying for the United Rugby Championship (URC) playoffs.
The Lions, who have struggled throughout the season, faced their fourth consecutive defeat in the URC, effectively ending their hopes of finishing in the top eight for the fourth year running. Despite a valiant effort, the home team could not overcome the early deficits created by Benetton's aggressive play.
Benetton's Jacob Umaga was the standout performer, scoring 22 points, which included a try, three penalties, and four conversions. His performance was instrumental in establishing a commanding lead for the visitors, who scored five tries compared to the Lions' four. Ignacio Mendy contributed significantly with two tries, while Leonardo Marin and Federico Ruzza also crossed the try line.
The match kicked off with an early penalty from Lions fly-half Kade Wolhuter, giving the home side a 3-0 lead. However, the tide quickly turned as Umaga capitalized on a handling error by the Lions to score the first try of the match in the 7th minute. He converted his own try, putting Benetton ahead 7-3.
Benetton continued to apply pressure, with Mendy scoring in the 13th minute to extend their lead to 12-3. A penalty from Umaga in the 18th minute further widened the gap to 15-3. The visitors were relentless, and Marin's try in the 22nd minute brought the score to 22-3, leaving the Lions in a precarious position.
Despite the daunting deficit, the Lions managed to rally and scored their first try through Ruan Venter in the 28th minute, narrowing the score to 22-8. Wolhuter converted, bringing the score to 10-22. However, Benetton's Mendy responded swiftly, scoring his second try just before halftime, which, along with Umaga's conversion, set the halftime score at 32-17 in favor of the visitors.
The second half began with Benetton continuing their dominance, as Ruzza scored a try in the 43rd minute, pushing the score to 39-17. Although Benetton faced disciplinary issues, ending up with three players in the sin bin at different points in the match, their defense held firm against the Lions' attempts to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
In the 61st minute, the Lions managed to score again with a try by Edwill van der Merwe, narrowing the gap to 39-24 after Wolhuter's conversion. The Lions continued to fight back, and JC Pretorius scored another try in the 77th minute, bringing the score to 42-31 after Wolhuter converted once more.
Despite the late surge from the Lions, it was too little too late. Benetton's disciplined play and strategic execution throughout the match were key to their success. The Lions' performance was marred by errors, poor decision-making, and a lack of cohesion, which ultimately cost them the game.
Post-match, Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen expressed disappointment in his team's performance, noting that they failed to capitalize on Benetton's mistakes and struggled to maintain composure under pressure. Meanwhile, Benetton's victory has propelled them into contention for the playoffs, temporarily placing them in fifth position on the URC standings.
As the season progresses, the Lions will need to regroup and reassess their strategies, with their next three matches all at home. The team remains hopeful of turning their fortunes around, but with just an 8% chance of making the playoffs, the road ahead looks challenging.
This match serves as a stark reminder of the competitive nature of the URC and the need for teams to consistently perform at their best. Benetton's victory not only boosts their playoff hopes but also highlights the potential of Italian rugby on the international stage.
