New Zealand staged a dramatic comeback in the second half, erasing an 18‑point shortfall to edge past the Lions 41‑35 and preserve their unbeaten record on the South African leg of their eight‑match, six‑week tour. The victory at Ellis Park on Tuesday not only kept the All Blacks from suffering a surprising loss, it also completed a clean sweep of the four provincial sides they had faced, adding to the 33‑16 triumph over the Springboks in the first Test earlier that weekend. The match featured a heavily rotated New Zealand side. Only three players who had started in the Saturday Test against South Africa remained in the lineup, while five injury‑cover players were summoned for the tour – one of whom only arrived on Monday.
Among the newcomers was prop Saula Ma'u, who earned his debut in a high‑stakes encounter. From the outset, the Lions imposed themselves, racing to a 14‑0 lead within the first seven minutes.
Their aggressive defence, however, proved costly; the All Blacks missed 19 tackles across the full 80 minutes, a statistic that underscored the early pressure they endured. By halftime the scoreline still favoured the home side, and the gap widened to 35‑17 early in the second half, specifically in the 47th minute.
At that point, the Lions 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. The Lions, however, were not in peak condition.
Like the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls that the All Blacks had already overcome, the provincial side was out of season and lacking match fitness, having not played a competitive game since the United Rugby Championship quarter‑finals on May 30. This fatigue became evident as New Zealand found a second wind in the final thirty minutes, unleashing a sequence of four consecutive tries that turned the tide.
Rieko Ioane was instrumental, crossing the line twice. Flanker Ethan Blackadder added a crucial try of his own, giving the All Blacks their first lead of the match in the 62nd minute.
The finishing touch came from winger Emoni Narawa, who scored a second try in the 79th minute, sealing the win and calming any lingering nerves within the touring party. "The Lions came out hissing," Blackadder reflected after the game. "But we stayed composed and found a way in the end. They were quality tonight." His comments highlighted the intensity of the contest and the resilience required to overturn the deficit.
Blackadder, whose father Todd was part of the legendary 1996 All Blacks tour, emerged as one of the standout performers alongside inside centre Timoci Tavatavanawai, Narawa, and fly‑half Richie Mo'unga – the latter returning from his stint in Japan and wearing the black jersey for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final. All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie praised Blackadder’s impact, noting, "He's got a massive engine and was everywhere." The flanker’s performance also boosted his prospects for future Test selection, especially after fellow forward Anton Segner was ruled out for the remainder of the tour due to a severe ankle injury that will require two surgeries. Segner, who had been listed as a reserve for the first Test, was diagnosed with acute inflammatory arthritis and will not be replaced in the squad. Mo'unga’s influence grew as the game progressed, though his and veteran Beauden Barrett’s conversion rate was modest, managing only three successful kicks out of seven try opportunities.
In contrast, Lions kicker Chris Smith was flawless with the posts, converting all five of his side’s tries and even testing the uprights with a long‑range penalty. The win not only secured New Zealand’s unbeaten run against South African provincial teams but also set the stage for the upcoming Tests, where the All Blacks will aim to build on their 33‑16 victory over the Springboks.
Fans can follow every moment of the tour live on Sky Sports, with streaming available contract‑free via NOW, ensuring that rugby enthusiasts across the UK and Ireland can keep up with the action. Overall, the match was a textbook example of New Zealand’s ability to adapt under pressure, rotate their squad without compromising quality, and execute a late‑stage surge that turned a potential upset into a memorable comeback. The combination of youthful energy, experienced leadership, and strategic depth will be crucial as the All Blacks continue their South African campaign, seeking to maintain their dominance and finish the tour on a high note.