New Zealand mounted a dramatic comeback in the second half, overturning an 18‑point shortfall to edge the Lions 41‑35 and sidestep a potential shock defeat at Ellis Park on Tuesday. The victory ensured the All Blacks have now swept all four South African provincial sides on their eight‑match, six‑week tour, adding to the 33‑16 triumph over the Springboks in the first Test earlier that weekend. The match saw a heavily rotated New Zealand side take the field. Only three players who featured in Saturday’s Test against South Africa were retained, while five injury‑cover players were called up during the tour – one of whom arrived just a day before the game.
Among the newcomers was prop Saula Ma’u, who earned his debut in the high‑stakes encounter. From the outset, the Lions imposed themselves, racing to a 14‑0 lead within the first seven minutes.
Their defensive line was disciplined, and they capitalised on early handling errors from the All Blacks, forcing New Zealand to miss 19 tackles across the contest. By halftime the scoreline still favoured the visitors, and the gap widened further in the second half. At the 47‑minute mark the Lions were ahead 35‑17, threatening to become the first South African provincial team to beat the All Blacks since the Orange Free State side (now the Cheetahs) achieved that feat in 1976. The Lions, however, were coming off a long lay‑off.
Their last competitive fixture had been the United Rugby Championship quarter‑final on 30 May, leaving them out of season and lacking match sharpness. In contrast, the All Blacks, despite the depleted roster, were able to draw on the intensity of their recent Test victories and the depth of their talent pool. The turning point arrived in the final thirty minutes.
New Zealand unleashed a relentless wave of attacking rugby, scoring four consecutive tries to overturn the deficit. Winger Rieko Ioane crossed the line twice, showcasing his trademark speed and footwork. Flanker Ethan Blackadder, making a name for himself with a second‑half brace, put the All Blacks ahead for the first time in the 62nd minute. Finally, winger Emoni Narawa added a late try in the 79th minute, sealing the comeback and calming any lingering nerves.
"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 composure was evident throughout the game, and his performance earned high praise from head coach Dave Rennie, who described Blackadder as "phenomenal" and highlighted his relentless work rate: "He's got a massive engine and was everywhere." Blackadder’s display also boosted his prospects for future Test selections, especially after teammate Anton Segner was ruled out for the remainder of the tour. Segner, who had been a late addition to the first‑Test reserve bench, suffered an ankle injury that required two surgeries and was diagnosed as acute inflammatory arthritis.
The All Blacks opted not to replace him in the squad, opening a pathway for players like Blackadder to step up. Inside centre Timoci Tavatavanawai, winger Narawa, and fly‑half Richie Mo'unga also featured prominently.
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. However, his kicking accuracy, alongside that of veteran Beauden Barrett, was limited; together they converted only three of the seven New Zealand tries.
In contrast, the Lions’ kicker Chris Smith was flawless on the board, converting all five of his side’s tries and even testing the posts with a long‑range penalty. The win not only preserved New Zealand’s unbeaten record against South African provincial teams on this tour but also demonstrated the depth and resilience of a squad that can adapt to injuries and still produce high‑quality rugby. It underscored the importance of squad rotation in modern tours, where player welfare and strategic rest are balanced against the need for consistent performance. Fans across the globe were able to follow every moment of the tour live on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available through NOW, offering contract‑free access to rugby union and other sports.
The match’s excitement, dramatic swing, and individual brilliance made it a standout fixture in a tour that continues to capture the imagination of rugby enthusiasts worldwide.