New Zealand mounted a dramatic comeback after falling behind by 18 points in the second half, ultimately edging the Lions 41-35 and sparing themselves an unexpected loss at Ellis Park on Tuesday. This victory ensured that the All Blacks have now defeated every provincial side they have faced on their six‑week, eight‑match South African tour, adding to the 33-16 triumph over the Springboks in the first Test earlier that weekend. The squad that took the field against the Lions was notably thin. Only three members of the side that had secured the weekend Test win were retained, and five players were drafted in as injury replacements during the tour.
One of those replacements only arrived on Monday, while prop Saula Ma'u earned his first cap for the All Blacks on the day. The match began poorly for New Zealand, with their defensive unit looking out of sync and missing a total of 19 tackles throughout the game.
They trailed 14-0 after just seven minutes and remained behind at the break. By the 47th minute the scoreline read 35-17 in favour of the Lions, who were on the brink of becoming the first South African provincial team to defeat New Zealand since the Orange Free State (now the Cheetahs) achieved the feat in 1976. However, the Lions were also suffering from a lack of match sharpness.
They had not played a competitive fixture since the United Rugby Championship quarter‑finals on May 30, leaving them out of season and not fully fit for the encounter. New Zealand’s resurgence came in the final thirty minutes of the contest. The All Blacks struck with four consecutive tries, turning the tide and ultimately securing the win. Winger Rieko Ioane crossed the line twice, while flanker Ethan Blackadder added a second try to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the 62nd minute.
A further score by winger Emoni Narawa in the 79th minute sealed the result and calmed any lingering nerves within the touring side. "The Lions came out hissing," Blackadder reflected after the match. "But we stayed composed and found a way in the end.
They were quality tonight." Blackadder, whose father Todd toured with the All Blacks in 1996, was among the standout performers, alongside inside centre Timoci Tavatavanawai, Narawa, and fly‑half Richie Mo'unga, who returned from a stint in Japan and wore the black jersey for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final. Coach Dave Rennie praised Blackadder, describing him as "phenomenal" and noting his relentless work rate: "He's got a massive engine and was everywhere." The match also had implications for squad selection moving forward.
Anton Segner, who had been listed as a reserve for the first Test, was ruled out for the remainder of the tour after an ankle injury was diagnosed as acute inflammatory arthritis, requiring two surgeries. His absence opened the door for Blackadder to stake a stronger claim for future Test appearances.
While Mo'unga grew into the game as it progressed, both he and veteran Beauden Barrett managed to convert only three of the seven New Zealand tries. In contrast, the Lions' kicker Chris Smith was flawless, converting all five of his side's tries and even sending a long‑range penalty sailing through the uprights, though it was insufficient to overturn the deficit. The All Blacks' ability to recover from such a substantial halftime hole underscores the depth of talent and resilience that has characterised their South African tour.
Their unbeaten run against provincial opposition now includes victories over the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and, finally, the Lions. Each of those wins has required a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, as evidenced by the debut of Saula Ma'u and the impactful performances of emerging stars like Blackadder. Looking ahead, the All Blacks will aim to maintain their momentum as they prepare for the remaining fixtures on the tour, while also managing player workloads after a grueling schedule.
The coaching staff will likely assess the defensive lapses that allowed the Lions to build such a lead, focusing on improving tackle technique and communication in the back‑row. Meanwhile, the attacking unit will be encouraged by the four‑try surge that ultimately decided the match, reinforcing the importance of quick ball movement and support play in high‑pressure situations. Fans can continue to follow the All Blacks' South African adventure live on Sky Sports, with all games streamed contract‑free via the NOW platform.
The coverage includes detailed analysis, player interviews, and in‑depth commentary, offering viewers a comprehensive look at each contest as the touring side seeks to cap off a historic and unbeaten provincial campaign.