It is South African derby weekend in the Vodacom URC as the Lions host the Stormers while the Sharks travel to Loftus Versfeld.

Who will come out on top at Ellis Park? These numbers might be something to keep in mind as you decide:

Overall URC head-to-head record: Played against each other twice, with each side winning once.

When they last met:

Did you know?

– Opting to kick longer and turn the defending back three, the Lions have retained the fewest kicks in the league (10). However, 49 of their 117 kicks from hand have found grass even if they are yet to manage a 50/22.

– The Lions have the lowest league rate of ball retention at the maul, only managing to recycle possession from 87%.

– Lions lock Reinhard Nothnagel has secured more rucks for his team than any other player in the league, standing sentinel over the ball before it is played away (87).

– Very evident in their shock loss against Cardiff in round six, the Stormers have the worst rate of ball retention at the ruck (91%).

– Manie Libbok is the only player in URC to have kicked two 50/22s, he also managed a round-high three offloads last weekend.

– Continuing his bruising start to the season, Stormers loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani beat more defenders last weekend than any other forward (seven).

– When these sides have met in the URC, the away side has always been the victor.

– The Lions have lost three of their past four matches played at home.

– The Stormers will surely be back with a vengeance this week after Cardiff ended their incredible 15-match winning streak.