The second installment of the 2024/25 Vodacom United Rugby Championship’s Gauteng derby brings boxing to the heart of one of rugby’s fiercest rivalries.

When the Vodacom Bulls and the Emirates Lions meet on Saturday, 22 February, at
Loftus Versfeld, many will rightfully expect a crunching battle between two proud South
African teams with a lot to play for as the race to secure the best spot heading into the
knockouts nears finality.

When the rugby is done and dusted, the battle for bragging rights and more will con-
tinue, except this time, it will all be inside the boxing ring, where the best Joburg has to offer will go up against Pitori’s finest.
The full boxing card includes seven exhibition bouts between Luke Ackers and Jaden
Mraz, Frikkie van Jaarsveld and Katleho Sauli, Pascal Alanga and Thabo Agbenafa,
and Gideon Visser against Kyle Sham. That action will be followed by the battle of the

MC’s where the Vodacom Bulls’ Mack Rapapali takes on Wesley Gabriels of the Emirates Lions followed by boxing legend Sebastian Rothman against Shadow Shabane as the prelude to the main event. That main event will see Vodacom Bulls legend Lionel

Mapoe taking on former Lions teammate Marnitz Boshoff in a three-round pound-for-
pound square off.