Lions boss looking ahead to 'massive' trans-Jukskei derby against Bulls

The Johannesburg franchise have opened their 2026/27 United Rugby Championship account with back-to-back wins at home at Ellis Park. But a much bigger task awaits across the Jukskei River at Loftus Versfeld next weekend.

The Lions are coming off a comfortable 35-19 victory over the travelling Ospreys, but van Rooyen believes they were off the mark in key areas of the game. And despite confidence being on their side following a 43-33 win in the derby clash last season, van Rooyen is taking nothing for granted.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are coming off a narrow 26-22 loss to Munster at Thomond Park in Ireland and will return to the Republic hungry for victory and boerewors.

"Accuracy will be massive, it's a typical derby, so it's going to be massive set-piece, and huge physicality," the coach told the press on Saturday.

"The Bulls have shown that they want to play a little bit more, which makes them as dangerous as there's also opportunity.

"We've looked a little bit at the Bulls, but today's performance won't be enough against the Bulls next week."

"Last year, when we played them there, it was part of their transition period. I think it will be very different this year. Even though they are travelling back, their squad depth is good enough to manage that.

"They've got some real speed out wide; they've got some good pack of forwards and grunt upfront.

"I think it will be a very different challenge. There's one or two things we can draw from that, but we won't be blind to know that it's a new week, new opportunity and different game."

READ MORE: URC: Lions score six tries to dominate Ospreys at Ellis Park