New Zealand staged a dramatic comeback after trailing by 18 points in the second half, ultimately edging the Lions 41-35 and averting a surprising loss at Ellis Park on Tuesday. This victory means the All Blacks have now swept all four provincial opponents on their six‑week, eight‑match South African tour, maintaining an unbeaten record that also includes a 33-16 triumph over the Springboks in the first Test earlier in the weekend. The match saw a heavily rotated New Zealand side, with only three players retained from the Saturday Test win over South Africa on the same ground. Five injury replacements were called up during the tour, one of whom only arrived on Monday, and prop Saula Ma'u earned his first cap for the All Blacks.
Despite the limited continuity, the squad managed to pull together a remarkable turnaround. Early on, the All Blacks’ defensive structure faltered, missing 19 tackles throughout the game and allowing the Lions to sprint to a 14-0 lead within the first seven minutes. The deficit grew, and by halftime New Zealand remained behind.
The situation worsened in the 47th minute when the score read 35-17 in favor of the Lions, putting the visitors on the brink 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, like the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls that the All Blacks had already dispatched, were out of season and not at peak match fitness.
Their last competitive outing had been the United Rugby Championship quarter‑finals on May 30, leaving them somewhat rusted. This lack of recent game time became a factor as New Zealand began to find rhythm in the final thirty minutes of the contest. The All Blacks unleashed a relentless assault, scoring four consecutive tries in the closing stage.
Winger Rieko Ioane crossed the line twice, while flanker Ethan Blackadder added a second try of his own, 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 the nerves of 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." His comments highlighted the intensity of the encounter and the mental resilience required to overturn such a large deficit. 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, 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’s effort, describing him as "phenomenal" and noting his "massive engine" that saw him everywhere on the field. The flanker’s performance also boosted his prospects for future Tests, especially after the sudden loss of Anton Segner. Segner, who had been named in the reserves for the first Test, withdrew due to a severe ankle injury that required two surgeries and was diagnosed as acute inflammatory arthritis.
The All Blacks chose not to replace him in the squad, leaving a gap that Blackadder helped to fill. Mo'unga, like the rest of the team, improved as the game progressed, though 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 testing the posts with a long‑range penalty. The win not only preserved the All Blacks’ unbeaten run on tour but also demonstrated the depth of New Zealand rugby, showing that even a heavily rotated side can summon the skill, fitness, and mental fortitude to overcome a formidable opponent.
The match will be remembered for its dramatic swing, the emergence of new talent like Saula Ma'u, and the reaffirmation that the All Blacks remain a dominant force, capable of turning the tide even when the odds appear stacked against them. Fans can relive every moment of New Zealand’s South African tour live on Sky Sports, with streaming available contract‑free via NOW.
The coverage includes all kick‑off times for the UK and Ireland, ensuring that supporters worldwide can follow the action as it unfolds.