Lions Defeat Ulster 49-31 Ending Unbeaten Run at Ellis Park

Ulster suffered their first defeat of the United Rugby Championship season, losing 49-31 to the Lions at Ellis Park despite a hat-trick of tries from Rob Baloucoune. Ulster led 19-17 at halftime, with tries from Baloucoune and James Hume, but the Lions dominated the second half, scoring five additional tries and capitalizing on Ulster's fatigue and the effects of Johannesburg's altitude. Baloucoune's third try earned Ulster a try bonus point, but the Lions' replacements proved stronger in the closing stages, extending the lead. Richie Murphy's side finishes their South African tour with six points but will head into the autumn break with momentum stalled. The match featured a total of twelve tries, highlighting an exhilarating but defensively challenging game for Ulster. Despite the loss, Ulster fought bravely throughout the match, demonstrating resilience against a powerful Lions team.