New Zealand fought back from an 18-point deficit in the second half to beat the Lions 41-35 and avoid a shock defeat at Ellis Park on Tuesday.
It means that the All Blacks have swept all four provincial teams to remain undefeated on their six-week, eight-match tour of South Africa, on top of beating the Springboks 33-16 in the first Test at the weekend.
New Zealand fielded only three players from that Saturday Test victory over South Africa on the same ground and involved five injury replacements summoned on tour – including one who arrived on Monday – as well as giving a debut to prop Saula Ma’u.
Highlights as New Zealand scored five tries to beat South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park and take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
Their defence struggled and missed 19 tackles over the course of the contest that saw them trail 14-0 after seven minutes.
They were still behind at half-time and 35-17 behind in the 47th minute, as the Lions threatened to become the first South African provincial side to beat New Zealand since Orange Free State, now known as the Cheetahs, in 1976.
But like the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls who the All Blacks had already beaten, the Lions are out of season and not match fit.
Having not played since May 30 in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals, New Zealand eventually came storming back in the last 30 minutes with four successive tries.
Rieko Ioane scored two of them, flanker Ethan Blackadder went over for a second time to earn the All Blacks the lead for the first time in the 62nd minute, while a second too by winger Emoni Narawa in the 79th finally settled the touring side’s nerves.
“The Lions came out hissing,” Blackadder said. “But we stayed composed and found a way in the end. They were quality tonight.”
Blackadder – whose father Todd was on the last traditional tour in 1996 – was one of the New Zealand standouts along with inside center Timoci Tavatavanawai, Narawa, and fly-half Richie Mo’unga, back from Japan and in a black jersey for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie thought Blackadder was phenomenal. “He’s got a massive engine and was everywhere,” he said.
Blackadder’s Test prospects also improved after Anton Segner was ruled out of the rest of the tour.
Segner was a late withdrawal from the first Test reserves due to an ankle injury that’s needed two surgeries. The injury was assessed as acute inflammatory arthritis and he won’t be replaced in the squad.
Mo’unga, like New Zealand, got better as the game got older, but he and Beauden Barrett could convert only three of the team’s seven tries.
On the other hand, Chris Smith, at home, converted all five of the Lions tries and hit the post with a long penalty.
South Africa vs New Zealand Test series schedule
All games live on Sky Sports; kick-off times UK and Ireland
- First Test (Ellis Park) – South Africa 16-33 New Zealand
- Second Test (Saturday August 29) – Cape Town Stadium (4.10pm)
- Third Test (Saturday September 5) – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (4.10pm)
- Fourth Test (Saturday September 12) – M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA (10pm)
Watch every minute of New Zealand’s tour of South Africa, exclusively live on Sky Sports. Stream rugby and more sport contract-free with NOW