New Zealand mounted a dramatic comeback in the second half, erasing an 18‑point shortfall to secure a 41‑35 victory over the Lions at Ellis Park on Tuesday, thereby sidestepping a potential shock loss. This win completes a clean sweep of all four South African provincial sides on the All Blacks' six‑week, eight‑match tour, adding to the 33‑16 triumph over the Springboks in the first Test earlier in the weekend. The squad that took the field against the Lions featured only three players who had featured in Saturday's Test win on the same ground, and it also incorporated five injury‑cover call‑ups who had joined the tour mid‑campaign – one of whom arrived just on Monday. Among the newcomers was prop Saula Ma'u, who earned his first cap in the match.
Defensively, the All Blacks struggled early, missing 19 tackles across the game and finding themselves trailing 14‑0 after just seven minutes. The deficit grew, and by halftime the visitors were still behind. The gap widened further to 35‑17 in the 47th minute, sparking fears that the Lions might become the first South African provincial team to defeat New Zealand since the Orange Free State (now the Cheetahs) achieved that feat in 1976.
However, the Lions, like the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls that the All Blacks had already beaten, were out of season and lacking match‑sharpness. Their last competitive outing had been the United Rugby Championship quarter‑finals on May 30, leaving them under‑prepared for the intensity of a New Zealand side.
In the final half‑hour, New Zealand unleashed a torrent of attacking rugby, scoring four consecutive tries to overturn the deficit. Winger Rieko Ioane crossed the line twice, while flanker Ethan Blackadder added a second try to give the All Blacks their first lead of the match in the 62nd minute. The finishing touch came from winger Emoni Narawa, who scored in the 79th minute, sealing the win and calming any lingering nerves on the tour. "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 remarks underscored the resilience shown by the New Zealand side after a shaky start.
Blackadder, whose father Todd toured with the All Blacks in 1996, emerged as one of the standout performers alongside inside centre Timoci Tavatavanawai, Narawa, and fly‑half Richie Mo'unga. Mo'unga, returning from a stint in Japan, wore the black jersey for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final and grew into the game as it progressed.
Coach Dave Rennie praised Blackadder, describing him as "phenomenal" with a "massive engine" and noting his presence across the field. The match also saw squad changes due to injuries. Anton Segner, who had been slated as a reserve for the first Test, was ruled out for the remainder of the tour after an ankle injury required two surgeries and was diagnosed as acute inflammatory arthritis. His absence opened a door for other players to stake a claim for future Test selection.
In terms of goal‑kicking, Mo'unga and veteran Beauden Barrett combined to convert only three of the seven New Zealand tries, while the Lions' Chris Smith was flawless, converting all five of his side's tries and even forcing a penalty attempt that struck the post. The victory not only preserved New Zealand's unbeaten record on the South African leg of their tour but also reinforced their reputation for resilience and depth. By overcoming a sizeable deficit against a side that had not played competitively for weeks, the All Blacks demonstrated why they remain a dominant force in world rugby. Fans can relive every moment of the All Blacks' South African adventure live on Sky Sports, with the option to stream the action contract‑free via NOW.
The match, along with the rest of the tour fixtures, is available for on‑demand viewing, ensuring that supporters worldwide can follow New Zealand's quest for a flawless tour.