Summary

  • Lions 49-31 Ulster (FT)

  • Bryn Ward makes Ulster debut from the start at number eight after Juarno Augustus fails late fitness test

  • SJ Kotze and Eduan Keyter score either side of Rob Baloucoune's try; James Hume pulls Ulster level before Baloucoune's second puts away side in front

  • Ruan Venter re-establishes Lions lead early in second half before Baloucoune completes hat-trick

  • Renzo du Plessis stretches home side's lead before David McCann gives Ulster renewed hope

  • Henco van Wyk and Conrad van Vuuren (2) seals win for Lions

Live Reporting

Mark Strange

  1. Goodbye from Johannesburg

    FT Lions 49-31 Ulster

    So, Ulster suffer their first defeat of the season in a thrilling clash with the Lions. Albeit, they do pick up one bonus point thanks to their five tries at Ellis Park which means six points total from their trip to South Africa.

    It's now time for a break in URC action ahead of the Autumn internationals which begin in earnest next week including Ireland's mouth-watering clash with New Zealand in Chicago.

    You can read Matt Gault's match report from today's game here but that's us for now. Thank you for joining us and see you again soon!

  2. Full-time

    Lions 49-31 Ulster

    The Lions pull away at the end of of what was a thrilling game. Ulster come away with a try bonus point and six points from their tour to South Africa. Certainly nothing to be sniffed at.

    Stick with us for some post-match reaction.

  3. try

    Try Lions 49-31 Ulster

    Conrad van Vuuren

    That one is a bit harsh on Ulster but the Lions have flexed their muscles at the end. Replacement prop van Vuuren barges over again but another missed conversion means the hosts don't hit the half century.

  4. try

    Try Lions 44-31 Ulster

    Conrad van Vuuren

    That is surely the knockout blow with four minutes remaining. Jarod Cairns makes ground with a big break and offloads to Conrad van Vuuren who dives over.

    The conversion is missed again but Ulster's tired legs at altitude have caught up with them.

  5. try

    Try Lions 39-31 Ulster

    Henco van Wyk

    Another blow is traded in this heavyweight bout. The Lions break away down the right wing and, after a couple of big carries, centre Henco van Wyk crashes over.

    Replacement Gianni Lombard's kick goes wide so Ulster are very much still in this one.

  6. try

    Converted Try Lions 34-31 Ulster

    David McCann (con Flannery)

    The Ulster pack has the Lions under the cosh and David McCann gets over with the home pillars at the ruck falling asleep.

    Replacement Jake Flannery nails an important conversion and, with twelve minutes left, we have a real finish to this game on our hands!

  7. try

    Converted Try Lions 34-24 Ulster

    Renzo du Plessis (con Smith)

    That is really poor from Ulster. Jude Postlethwaite brings the replacement back row to ground but doesn't hold him and du Plessis gets back to his feet and powers over.

    Really elementary stuff from the visitors as Smith converts to open up a 10-point lead.

  8. Try review

    Lions 27-24 Ulster

    Renzo du Plessis has scrambled over for the Lions but was he held?

  9. Lions 27-24 Ulster

    Having been dominated at the breakdown earlier in the day, Ulster win an excellent turnover in their own 22 thanks to Bryn Ward and David McCann.

    However Jack Murphy's long kick is propelled by the thin air and goes over the dead ball line bringing his side all the way back. Scrum to the Lions on the Ulster 22.

  10. try

    Try Lions 27-24 Ulster

    Robert Baloucoune

    Rob BaloucouneInpho

    It's the hat-trick for the Ulster wing! Another superb finish from Robert Baloucoune that was created by a brilliant chip and chase by James Hume. The centre got within ten metres of the line before finding Tom Stewart with an offload.

    Jack Murphy's wide pass picks out Baloucoune who gets over in the corner. Murphy can't nail the conversion but Ulster back within three in this thrilling game and have also secured a bonus point!

  11. Penalty Lions 27-19 Ulster

    Chris Smith

    The Lions out half is five out of five with a second penalty of the afternoon. It is an enormous effort from 45 metres that cleared the dead ball line!

    This has not been a good start to the second half for Richie Murphy's men with ten points conceded.

  12. try

    Converted Try Lions 24-19 Ulster

    Ruan Venter (con Smith)

    The lead Ulster established right on half time is gone within five minutes of the restart. Following that knock on from the kick off, the hosts keep the pressure on and from a quick tap penalty, scrum half Nico Steyn plays a lovely disguised pass to allow openside Ruan Venter to power over.

    Chris Smith converts for a five point lead. Ulster need a response.

  13. Kick-off

    Lions 17-19 Lions

    We are back underway at Ellis Park! Immediately it is a scrum down red on the 22 as David McCann spills the restart.

  14. Ulster hooker Stewart to lead Ireland XV in Spain

    HT: Lions 17-19 Ulster

    Ulster hooker Tom Stewart will captain an Ireland XV against Spain in Leganes on Saturday, 8 November.

    Stewart will lead a 28-strong panel which consists of test-capped Ireland players, in-form provincial players and emerging talent.

    The 24-year-old is one of nine players who have appeared for Ireland's senior team alongside Tom O'Toole, Michael Milne, Darragh Murray, Robert Baloucoune, Shayne Bolton, Harry Byrne, Michael Lowry and Ben Murphy.

    Scott Wilson, David McCann, Nathan Doak, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlehwaite and former Ireland sevens star Zac Ward join Stewart, O'Toole, Baloucoune and Lowry in a 10-strong Ulster contingent for the game against Spain, who came second in the Europe International Championship behind Georgia.

    Cullie Tucker, who was part of Ireland's summer coaching team in Georgia and Portugal, will be head coach for the game in Spain, which takes place after Andy Farrell's senior team host Japan in Dublin at 12:30 GMT.

    Ireland XV Squad

    Forwards: Lee Barron (Munster), James Culhane (Leinster), Sam Illo (Connacht), Sean Jansen (Connacht), Diarmuid Mangan (Leinster), David McCann (Ulster), John McKee (Leinster), Michael Milne (Munster), Darragh Murray (Connacht), Evan O'Connell (Munster), Tom O'Toole (Ulster), Ruadhan Quinn (Munster), Alex Soroka (Leinster), Tom Stewart - captain (Ulster), Alex Usanov (Leinster), Scott Wilson (Ulster)

    Backs: Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Shayne Bolton (Connacht), Harry Byrne (Leinster), Nathan Doak (Ulster), Cathal Forde (Connacht), Fintan Gunne (Leinster), Dan Kelly (Munster), Michael Lowry (Ulster), Ben Murphy (Connacht), Jack Murphy (Ulster), Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster), Zac Ward (Ulster).

  15. Half-time

    Lions 17-19 Ulster

    A back-and-forth first half tilts the way of the visitors thanks to Baloucoune's late try, It has been a thoroughly entertaining and physical 40 minutes of rugby that Ulster will hope to build on in the second half.

    Ulster huddleGetty Images
  16. try

    Try Lions 17-19 Ulster

    Robert Baloucoune

    What. A. Finish! That is a superb try in the corner from Robert Baloucoune. It was built by the forwards going through the phases before they went wide.

    Jack Murphy's pass faded slightly on the big wing but he handled it before stretching for the corner while staying inside the white line. Nathan Doak's difficult conversion is missed but Ulster lead right on the break.

    Rob BaloucouneGetty Images

  17. Lions 17-14 Ulster

    David McCann plays a nice miss pass to the left wing for Zach Ward. He makes ground but his attempted kick down the wing sails straight out of play for a Lions throw.

  18. Penalty Lions 17-14 Ulster

    Chris Smith

    Despite their man disadvantage, the Lions win a penalty as Rob Herring is caught on the wrong side at the ruck. Smith nails the kick off the tee and edges his side in front while also eating time off the sin bin clock.

  19. Lions 14-14 Ulster

    Conraad van Vuuren comes on to scrummage during the sin binning and immediately wins a penalty cold off the bench.

    Lions into the Ulster 22 as we hit the half hour mark at Ellis Park.

  20. Sin-bin

    Lions 14-14 Ulster

    Asenathi Ntlabakanye is sent to the bin for a high hit on Jude Postlethwaite. Ulster go into the corner but overthrow at the lineout and Chris Smith sends it miles back into Ulster territory.

    They will have a man advantage for at least 10 minutes as the yellow for the tighthead will be reviewed. It has been confirmed that it will only be a ten minute yellow for Ntlabakanye.