New Zealand managed to overturn an 18‑point shortfall in the second half, edging the Lions 41‑35 and sidestepping a potential shock loss at Ellis Park on Tuesday. This comeback not only kept the All Blacks unbeaten against the four South African provincial sides on their six‑week, eight‑match tour, but also followed their dominant 33‑16 victory over the Springboks in the first Test earlier that weekend. The squad that took the field against the Lions featured only three players who had featured in the Saturday Test win on the same ground. In addition, five injury‑cover players were summoned for the tour, one of whom only arrived on Monday, and the match marked the debut of prop Saula Ma'u.
Despite these personnel changes, the All Blacks displayed the depth and resilience that have become hallmarks of New Zealand rugby. Early on, the defensive unit struggled, missing a total of 19 tackles throughout the contest. The Lions surged ahead quickly, establishing a 14‑0 lead within the first seven minutes. The gap widened further, and by halftime New Zealand still trailed, eventually finding themselves down 35‑17 with just over ten minutes left in the second half.
At that juncture, the Lions were on the verge of becoming the first South African provincial team to defeat the All Blacks since the Orange Free State (now the Cheetahs) achieved the feat in 1976. However, the Lions were not in peak condition. They had not played since the United Rugby Championship quarter‑finals on May 30, leaving them out of season and lacking match fitness.
This disadvantage began to show as the All Blacks gathered momentum in the final thirty minutes, scoring four consecutive tries to swing the game in their favour. Rieko Ioane was instrumental, crossing the line twice.
Flanker Ethan Blackadder added a second try, giving New Zealand the lead for the first time in the 62nd minute. The final nail in the coffin came when winger Emoni Narawa scored his second try in the 79th minute, sealing the victory and calming any lingering nerves among 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, 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 gradually found his rhythm as the game progressed.
Coach Dave Rennie praised Blackadder’s display, describing him as "phenomenal" and noting his relentless engine that saw him everywhere on the field. The performance also bolstered Blackadder’s prospects for future Test selection, especially after Anton Segner was ruled out for the remainder of the tour.
Segner, initially named in the reserves for the first Test, withdrew due to a severe ankle injury that required two surgeries and was later diagnosed as acute inflammatory arthritis. The All Blacks opted not to replace him in the squad, further emphasizing the confidence they have in their depth. While Mo'unga and veteran Beauden Barrett managed to convert only three of the seven New Zealand tries, the Lions’ kicker Chris Smith was flawless, converting all five of his side’s tries and even striking the post with a long‑range penalty. This contrast highlighted the All Blacks’ reliance on try‑scoring rather than goal‑kicking to secure the win.
The victory ensures that the All Blacks have now swept all four provincial teams—Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions—maintaining an unbeaten record on this tour. It also underscores the physical and tactical adaptability of the squad, capable of integrating new players, managing injuries, and delivering under pressure.
Fans can relive every moment of New Zealand’s South African tour live on Sky Sports, with the option to stream the action contract‑free via NOW. The match at Ellis Park serves as a reminder of why the All Blacks remain a global rugby powerhouse: even when faced with a sizeable deficit and a reshuffled lineup, they possess the skill, determination, and strategic acumen to turn the tide and emerge victorious.