Ricardo Loubscher and PJ Botha - Sharks derby in Durban

The Lions will be desperate to get their 2026 campaign off to a winning start when they travel to Durban to take on the Sharks in a mouth-watering United Rugby Championship derby on Saturday. It will be the first time this season that these two old foes lock horns, and all the signs point to a bruising, high-intensity affair at Kings Park. The Johannesburg side will be looking to slow down a high-flying Sharks outfit that appears to have found fresh momentum following a change in coaching personnel. While the Lions went down narrowly to the Stormers in Cape Town a fortnight ago, there were plenty of positives to take from that gutsy display. Importantly, they have already claimed a major domestic scalp this season after beating the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld - proof that they can mix it with the best on their day. Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher and hooker PJ Botha share their thoughts on the upcoming derby