New Zealand survived a mighty scare against the Lions as a late surge allowed them to remain unbeaten on their tour of South Africa.
The All Blacks returned to Ellis Park a few days on from an excellent 33-16 win at the venue that allowed them to go 1-0 up in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’s series. With three more tough battles with the world champions to come, this game offered a chance for some of those on the fringes to retain their sharpness and push for places – though few managed to really impress in a relatively clunky performance.
Doubles from Rieko Ioane and Ethan Blackadder eventually proved just enough in a 41-35 win. Cape Town and the second Test now await as Dave Rennie’s side look to assert their ascendancy in the four-match series against the Springboks.
Follow all of the latest from the clash at Ellis Park with our live blog below:
Read MoreHandre Pollard and Siya Kolisi recalled as Springboks ring changes for second Test
The deeper significance behind South Africa and New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
Lions vs New Zealand LIVE
- New Zealand survive scare to beat Lions in Johannesburg
- Tourists 1-0 up in landmark series ahead of second meeting in Cape Town
- 63' – Blackadder scores second as New Zealand finally take lead (LIO 35-36 NZL)
- 50' – Lions strike twice quickly before All Blacks reply (LIO 35-24 NZL)
- HT: Lions 21-17 New Zealand
- 26' – All Blacks hit back with Emoni Narawa scoring second (LIO 14-12 NZL)
- 8' – Lions rock All Blacks with two tries in first 10 minutes (LIO 14-0 NZL)
And here's All Blacks skipper Patrick Tuipulotu
19:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle“Thank you to the Lions. It was a pretty tough game, they really brought it to us. I’m happy we got there in the end but they made us really work hard.
“Obviously it is a different squad to the Test squad. We’ve got some young guys who have only had one or two games, and for those guys it is a new experience playing here in South Africa. We’ll take the learnings. To play four club sides here in South Africa has been really good for us. We got pushed to our limits and the Lions can be very proud of their efforts.
“That’s the great thing about this tour. You don’t have to wait long until another game. Our Test side did an awesome job and that energy flowed through. We’ll rest, recuperate and get ready for South Africa Test two.”
Lions captain Francke Horn reacts to the performance
19:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle“What an unbelievable opportunity tonight. Congrats to them on a good win; from our team, everybody played for one another. There was so much good stuff to take out of that going into the URC season.
“We wanted to test ourselves and see where we are. We showed where we are, and where we want to go. I’ve never heard Ellis Park like this since I’ve been with the Lions. Hopefully we’ll see them all year when the URC starts. We appreciate the crowd being there for us and hopefully there is more to come.”
FT: Lions 35-41 New Zealand
19:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell, it’s five from five for the All Blacks so far in South Africa and a clean sweep in the tour matches, but that was a heck of a contest at Ellis Park. The Lions gave as good as they got, and can count themselves unfortunate not to emerge with a famous win.
New Zealand had just enough...but there weren’t many men in black who put their hand up for Test selection.
FULL TIME! Lions 35-41 New Zealand
19:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
TRY! Lions 35-41 NEW ZEALAND (Emoni Narawa, 80 minutes)
19:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleA sparkling finish from Emoni Narawa but give the credit to the forward pack! Another truly statement scrum from the replacement All Blacks eight leaves the Lions firmly on the back foot. There is advantage coming but Narawa doesn’t want it, stepping four defenders and then powering through three more to the line.
Richie Mo’unga’s conversion is wide, and the final kick.
Lions 35-36 New Zealand, 77 minutes
19:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe All Blacks forwards assert themselves again, making hard yards in tight exchanges.
Wide, now, in search of space. Richie Mo’unga looks for Rieko Ioane with a rainbow pass...were there Lions hands in the way? Yes, but it’s a knock-on only. All Blacks scrum.
Lions 35-36 New Zealand, 75 minutes
19:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleBlimey! That’s some scrum shove from the All Blacks, Ofa Tu’ungafasi absolutely marmalising RF Schoeman and putting him on the Gautrain back across Johannesburg. It’s rare you see a South African scrum go backwards like that.
Lions 35-36 New Zealand, 74 minutes
19:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleJC Pretorius forces a knock-on from Jamie Hannah after the lock retreats to claim a chipped box kick. Lions scrum just inside their own half.
Lions 35-36 New Zealand, 73 minutes
19:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat might have sealed it...but the pass goes awry! Richie Mo’unga cuts the Lions to ribbons like a Roman gladiator, but Peter Lakai and Beauden Barrett can’t connect on a switch move as the pair look to build on the back of the fly half’s break. The All Blacks have scored six tries but it’s still felt pretty clunky.
Lions 35-36 New Zealand, 71 minutes
19:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe mentioned that JC Pretorius is quite the sight in space but that’s a blind alley, rather, Kyle Preston and the massive Ofa Tu’ungafasi halting him and hauling him all the way to touch.
Still just one point in it, though.
Lions 35-36 New Zealand, 69 minutes
19:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleA scrum penalty allows a comfortable exit from their own 22.
Lions 35-36 New Zealand, 66 minutes
19:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleStaunch defence. The All Blacks try to maul but make nary a metre. Down in a heap it comes; scrum, Lions feed.
Lions 35-36 New Zealand, 65 minutes
19:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleA double switch in the home back row, with the experienced Sikhumbuzo Notshe and athletic JC Pretorius on. Pretorius was a star for the Springboks Sevens side a couple of years ago, though has had some injury issues since. One to watch if he gets a chance in open space, though.
The All Blacks are starting to turn the screw, mind. A box kick sails out on the full from Haashim Pead and then the Lions are pinged for throwing a jumper across the lineout.
TRY! Lions 35-36 NEW ZEALAND (Todd Blackadder, 63 minutes)
19:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleMore like it – and the All Blacks finally lead! It’s just too much pace, power and poise in the end, Richie Mo’unga dragged back just as he seems to have got away but Rieko Ioane and Todd Blackadder there to make the most of the opportunity.
Mo’unga’s conversion is not too flash and flies like a wounded duck wide.
Lions 35-31 New Zealand, 62 minutes
19:25 , Harry Latham-CoylePeter Lakai is another All Blacks replacement to have made a real impact. Two turnovers in quick succession from the back rower keep the Lions at bay.
Lions 35-31 New Zealand, 60 minutes
19:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s worth remembering that this is a Lions side in the thick of their preseason. It’s been some effort so far.
Richard Kriel produces another good moment, winning a jackal penalty. Was there a clear release? And was he off his feet? Yes, and no, referee Angus Gardner decides.
Lions 35-31 New Zealand, 58 minutes
19:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleJamie Hannah really hasn’t been in South Africa long but he’s made a strong start here. The replacement lock makes metres with a forthright carry and then charges down Haashim Pead. The Lions manage to scramble to the loose ball.
TRY! Lions 35-31 NEW ZEALAND (Rieko Ioane, 56 minutes)
19:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleGifted! Oh, that’s a shame, Richard Kriel tossing blindly to try and find space on the right and instead presenting the ball to Rieko Ioane. The centre zooms away to narrow the margin to four after the accompanying conversion.
Lions 35-24 New Zealand, 55 minutes
19:17 , Harry Latham-CoyleNew Zealand look to their bench, too: enter Peter Lakai and Kyle Preston at No 8 and scrum half respectively.
Lions 35-24 New Zealand, 54 minutes
19:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe All Blacks have managed to pull away at this stage in their last couple of tour games, but the Lions do have a bit more experience and quality on their bench. It looks like prop Boan Venter is on at loosehead, while there is a change at scrum half, too, with Nico Steyn replaced by Haashim Pead.
Lions 35-24 New Zealand, 53 minutes
19:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle“Backwards for me!” referee Angus Gardner curiously cries after what looks a clear knock-on from Emoni Narawa. Noah Hotham is briefly excited about the chance to pick up and romp into open space, but Gardner corrects himself soon enough. Lions scrum.
Lions 35-24 New Zealand, 52 minutes
19:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleHow good has Nico Steyn been tonight? The scrum half wins his second or third breakdown turnover to save the Lions after another explosive charge from Timoci Tavatavanawai.
TRY! Lions 35-24 NEW ZEALAND (Rieko Ioane, 50 minutes)
19:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd just like that! The Rieko Ioane of old, there, weaving back between the bodies after hitting an initial outside arc on to the pass of Beauden Barrett. Vintage All Blacks.
Richie Mo’unga adds the extras.
Lions 35-17 New Zealand, 49 minutes
19:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe All Blacks replace captain Patrick Tuipulotu, perhaps a sign he’ll be involved in the second Test on Saturday. Jamie Hannah steps into the second row for him, with plenty of work to do.
TRY! LIONS 35-17 New Zealand (Francke Horn, 48 minutes)
19:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleA dismantling! My oh my, this is turning into something special from the Lions, beasting the All Blacks at the scrum as Francke Horn keeps control at the base.
The No 8’s try is converted, again, by Chris Smith – five from six from him from the tee with a missed penalty the only blot on his copy book. The lead builds again!
Lions 28-17 New Zealand, 47 minutes
19:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn extended scrum set-up. Can the Lions get a nudge on?
Lions 28-17 New Zealand, 46 minutes
19:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Lions 28-17 New Zealand, 44 minutes
19:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe All Blacks steal possession but Sam Darry immediately gives it back with a silly offload deep in his own territory! Here come the Lions again....held up over the line!
Back for a knock-on from New Zealand, who are creaking.
Lions 28-17 New Zealand, 43 minutes
19:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleWow! A Lions penalty 10 metres out after Kelly Mpeku jackals on the back of a relentless kick chase.
Poked into the corner. Another here?
TRY! LIONS 28-17 New Zealand (Erich Cronje, 42 minutes)
19:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt is a try! A spectacular start to the half from the Lions – and those two in particular!
Siba Mahashe somehow contorts an offload infield to complete an extended one-two with Erich Cronje after that high take, with the flanker just about keeping his feet in the field of play. Wing Cronje races away!
Lions 21-17 New Zealand, 41 minutes
19:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleA strong carry from Ruan Delport to start the second half, thundering the ball back from the restart.
And is that a try? A superb high take from Erich Cronje, who then capitalises on more outstanding work from Siba Mahashe...
Second half...
18:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleA crowd of just short of 16,000 in tonight. Not fantastic, but not too bad on a Tuesday night a few days on from a Test at the same venue.
HT: Lions 21-17 New Zealand
18:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleFun, frantic fare between two teams with a desire to play fast and loose. The Lions are good value for their narrow lead, even if spaces are opening up with regularity – New Zealand will be confident that they can surge away, but they’ve not at all had things their own way.
Back for more in a bit.
HALF TIME: Lions 21-17 New Zealand
18:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Lions 21-17 New Zealand, 40 minutes
18:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleNo appetite to play on for the Lions, who will happily trot down the tunnel with the lead.
Lions 21-17 New Zealand, 40 minutes
18:44 , Harry Latham-CoylePasilio Tosi goes to a knee at the scrum. Penalty to the Lions, who have brought on RF Schoeman for a stricken Sebastian Lombard at tighthead.
NO TRY! Lions 21-17 New Zealand, 38 minutes
18:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh, hang on – that’s ludicrous skill, actually, from Beauden Barrett, clasping the ball with one hand and then in one motion dropping on to his toe. Silly stuff!
But there is a forward pass from Wallace Sititi to put Fineanganofo away. TMO Brett Cronan only needs a quick review of the footage to conclude as much. No try!
Try? Lions 21-17 New Zealand, 38 minutes
18:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleFehi Fineanganofo scores in the left corner but surely it went forward somewhere in that movement?
There was a suspicion of a fumble from Beauden Barrett, and possibly a forward pass, too...
TRY! Lions 21-17 NEW ZEALAND (Ethan Blackadder, 36 minutes)
18:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleErm...no. Fehi Fineanganofo sparks the All Blacks into life and continuity in the 22 thereafter leaves Ethan Blackadder to rumble in untouched.
A Mako fin in celebration from the man of Tasman, whose father Todd toured South Africa with the ‘Incomparables’ of 1996. A fine New Zealand rugby family.
Lions 21-12 New Zealand, 35 minutes
18:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat was all the more impressive from the Lions given they’d had such little ball for the last 15 minutes. Can they hold firm until half time now?
TRY! LIONS 21-12 New Zealand (Kelly Mpeku, 34 minutes)
18:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat a finish! A leaping Kelly Mpeku squeezes into the corner!
This is excellent from the Lions. They showed throughout the URC season last year just how much variety they have in attack, and this is superb stuff, holding inside defenders with complex shapes and then striking out the back. Scrum half Nico Steyn keeps clear of would-be tackling hands and pops over the top to wing Mpeku, who ensures his feet stay up in the air as he goes airborne to ground by the corner flag.
A touchline conversion extends the advantage.
Lions 14-12 New Zealand, 32 minutes
18:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhew, Quan Horn! Rieko Ioane has his ankles broken by the full-back in open space, though Horn perhaps should have kept running afterwards rather than kicking ahead. Richie Mo’unga covers nicely and then coolly extricates himself, shimmying halfway through a tackle and offloading off the deck to Emoni Narawa, who allows Beauden Barrett to thump the ball out.
Lions 14-12 New Zealand, 30 minutes
18:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleBetter ruck work from the Lions. Fehi Fineanganofo is felled and Nico Steyn gets in over the top of the tackled player. Penalty, Lions lines cleared.
Lions 14-12 New Zealand, 28 minutes
18:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleJust a sense that New Zealand are starting to get on top at the breakdown. Sam Darry makes a stern shot and then ploughs through the Lions as they resource the ruck. Another penalty the All Blacks’ way.
Their lineout inside the hosts’ 22...but it isn’t straight.
TRY! Lions 14-12 NEW ZEALAND (Emoni Narawa, 26 minutes)
18:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle...and excellent execution to exploit them! Emoni Narawa is the end-man on the line, aided by a backdoor offload from Beauden Barrett to create space and Patrick Tuipulotu’s sympathetic toss to the wing thereafter. Barrett can’t curl his conversion inside the upright from wide on the touchline.
Lions 14-7 New Zealand, 25 minutes
18:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleNew Zealand have generally looked at their best in open-field play so far. They spark from deep again, Timoci Tavatavanawai charging some 50 metres before Chris Smith does very well to fell him.
Away to the right, numbers there...
Lions 14-7 New Zealand, 23 minutes
18:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Lions are offside again, and marched back. Sam Darry is the slightly unlikely quick-tapper as New Zealand try to keep the tempo high...and the lock has made an error, with support lacking when second row partner Patrick Tuipulotu takes his offload. A mistake made in unnecessary haste.
Lions 14-7 New Zealand, 22 minutes
18:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is heaps of strike-running threat in this All Blacks backline. Timoci Tavatavanawai always looks an absolute nightmare to tackle, boulder shoulders and explosive energy every time he takes contact. A mighty charge from the centre draws a penalty, which Richie Mo’unga successfully finds touch with.
Lions 14-7 New Zealand, 20 minutes
18:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn early, enforced change for the Lions: Etienne Oosthuizen’s race is run, sadly, with Hyron Andrews an experienced replacement off the bench. The lock is back in South Africa after a couple of years with Sale.
Fly half Chris Smith clears his lines very effectively.
Lions 14-7 New Zealand, 19 minutes
18:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleDesperate defence and the Lions cling on! It’s lovely interplay from the All Blacks, Emoni Narawa looping around to the left tramline and creating extra hands in consort with back-three colleagues Beauden Barrett and Fehi Fineanganofo. The trio look certain to score as they romp into the 22, with Samisoni Taukei’aho there too, but Narawa knocks on as he looks to pick and go from a messy ruck two metres out.
Sharp scrambling from the hosts, who got numbers back, but a chance missed by New Zealand.
Lions 14-7 New Zealand, 17 minutes
18:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleNearly a 50:22 from Quan Horn on the back of the midfield scrum that results from Mo’unga’s missed punt, but the full-back just overcooks his angled kick. Out on the full...by all of a handful of inches. Not far away, and there was open pasture to be found. A bit of a reprieve for the All Blacks, who can now explore Lions territory.
Lions 14-7 New Zealand, 15 minutes
18:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe All Blacks are starting to get some joy in the wider confines, and showing the appetite to get it there whenever they can. A penalty for offside will allow for booted advancement...or not! Richie Mo’unga misses touch. All a bit untidy at the moment.
Missed penalty! Lions 14-7 New Zealand, 13 minutes
18:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleChris Smith aims for goal...off the upright! Distance was never going to be a problem at altitude, even from near halfway, but accuracy was.
Lions 14-7 New Zealand, 13 minutes
18:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleA bit more intensity about New Zealand now...too much, as it happens. Timoci Tavatavanawai pilfers possession with a strong jackal but Sam Darry wastes the opportunity to build an attacking passage by taking out a Lions defender away from the ruck. We saw Luke Jacobson do something similar in the first Test, but the officials deemed the player in the vicinity of the ruck – Darry did not have that defence.
TRY! Lions 14-7 NEW ZEALAND (Noah Hotham, 11 minutes)
18:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleBut play from deep they do! Smart stuff from Emoni Narawa, spotting the pillar defenders for the Lions aren’t watching the ruck as they should be. Plucking the ball out of the breakdown, the wing simply runs away, with Noah Hotham on his shoulder to finish the score off and steady himself after a tough start.
Lions 14-0 New Zealand, 9 minutes
18:11 , Harry Latham-CoylePlenty of work to do, then, for the All Blacks to preserve their unbeaten record. A knock-on from the restart may help them. Noah Hotham will feed a scrum in the Lions 22.
But that’s pretty poor again from New Zealand. A simple out-the-back play leaves Richie Mo’unga isolated, and the fly half fumbles. The Lions kick the advantage away but the tourists will have to play from deeper.
TRY! LIONS 14-0 New Zealand (Siba Mahashe, 8 minutes)
18:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleBad to worse for the tourists! Siba Mahashe tears away!
Oh dear, oh dear. Noah Hotham looks to sweep the ball away to his backs off the top but Mahashe juts out of the end of the defensive Lions lineout, snatching the ball and, after showcasing his sprinting speed, a try.
(Big) cat, meet pigeons.
Lions 7-0 New Zealand, 7 minutes
18:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleA sloppy start, really, from New Zealand, all stemming from that Noah Hotham box kick that sailed out.
TRY! LIONS 7-0 New Zealand (Nico Steyn, 6 minutes)
18:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleA dummy and a dart and a fast Lions start!
Nico Steyn, that’s audacious. On the front foot, the scrum half sells a big dummy and Rieko Ioane is all to eager to buy it, whipping out his card and leaving a huge gap adjacent to the ruck. Steyn hurries through it and under the posts.
Lions 0-0 New Zealand, 5 minutes
18:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleDown the burly blokes pack for battle. Stable stuff from both front rows.
Richard Kriel gets momentum going for the Lions...
Lions 0-0 New Zealand, 4 minutes
18:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe maul is perhaps illegally halted, though the officials are happy for the Lions to play on. Nico Steyn sends a couple of forwards around the fringes before Ethan Blackadder gets his hands on the ball, releasing the pressure on the All Blacks.
Blackadder does knock-on, though, as he comes away with his stolen goods. Lions scrum – this should be fascinating given the inexperience of the New Zealand props.
Lions 0-0 New Zealand, 3 minutes
18:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Lions get a chance to attack from 25 metres out then, and go wide, Chris Smith putting it in the hands of full-back Quan Horn. Richard Kriel does the same away to the left, and a clever kick ahead down the touchline from Francke Horn forces Beauden Barrett to scramble across and shunt it out.
Lions’ lineout, five metres out.
Lions 0-0 New Zealand, 2 minutes
18:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleNoah Hotham does eventually go to the air...and skews it right into touch. Not the start the scrum half would have wanted, a nasty slice.
Lions 0-0 New Zealand, 1 minute
18:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleA steepling kick off from Quan Horn is well grasped by Sam Darry, very good at that sort of thing as he is hoisted high above a teammate’s head.
The All Blacks look to play inside their own 22, with Richie Mo’unga immediately showing off his handling range.
KICK OFF!
18:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleUp and running at Ellis Park!
Haka
17:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleRieko Ioane leads the All Blacks in their Haka, the Ka Mate performed with typical intensity. Angus Gardner has a quick check with his officials – here we go.
Anthems
17:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleYes, anthems again, as has been custom throughout this tour. A proud moment for the players, no doubt, but perhaps a trifle unncesssary.
A couple of bands of schoolchildren, all dressed in their colours, join along with the South African anthem, swaying arm-in-arm in the stands.
Lions vs New Zealand
17:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe players emerge at the capacious Ellis Park, which isn’t particularly close to full – unsurprisingly, perhaps, for a winter’s Tuesday evening. The Lions are sporting some American-style Macron red-and-white varsity jackets.
Lions vs All Blacks match officials
17:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleReferee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Second Test selection clues
17:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleWith Josh Lord working through concussion return-to-play protocols, one of Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Darry could well come into contention to start for the All Blacks on Saturday. One suspects that had Jamie Hannah had more than 48 hours in South Africa, he might have begun this game, but Dave Rennie might just tip his hand with an early withdrawal for one of his locks. The other option would be to shift Tupou Vaa’i into the row and give Simon Parker a start in Cape Town in the No 6 shirt – that combination worked pretty well in the second half. We’ll see.
Where can the Lions hurt New Zealand?
17:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a bit of a shame for the Lions that Morne van den Berg was required by the Springboks this weekend after Grant Williams picked up a knock, for the scrum half would have been another useful addition to their 23. You worry a little bit for the Johannesburg franchise with the All Blacks building fluency throughout this trip, but the Lions don’t have quite as many South Africa internationals as the other URC sides, which may be a bit of an advantage in terms of their own continuity.
Batho Hlekani, the blindside flanker, had a really good year last year, earning South Africa A honours – how he fares against Wallace Sititi will be fun.
JOBURG, WE’RE READY. 🦁🔥
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) August 25, 2026
Are you?#RGR26 #LionsPride #ForOurCity pic.twitter.com/o1EXVcYhLg
Richie Mo'unga returns
17:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleFor the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, Richie Mo’unga pulls on an All Blacks jersey tonight as the fly half looks to press for a place in one of the Test teams. Called up late to this tour, displacing Ruben Love right now may prove tough for Mo’unga but the pair could well battle for the starting No 10 shirt across the next 12 months or so as they gear up for next year’s tournament in Australia.
"One reason for coming back was obviously to win a World Cup, but to not have any regrets of ‘geez, I wish I had given it another crack or maybe there was a bit more to give," Mo’unga said.
"I’ve just come back really grateful. I knew I missed it, but coming back in, you realise this is a really special circle to be in. I’m just really savouring every moment and just not going to take these things for granted.”
All Blacks team news
17:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleRichie Mo’unga makes his All Blacks return after a late call-up to the touring squad as an injury replacement. Lock Jamie Hannah and prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi are even more newly-arrived, hurrying across from New Zealand to take up places on the bench with Josh Lord and Ethan de Groot working through concussion protocols.
Kyle Preston, Peter Lakai and Anton Lienert-Brown back up having featured fleetingly in the first Test.
New Zealand XV: 1 Siale Lauaki, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 Pasilio Tosi; 4 Sam Darry, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (capt.); 6 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Semisi Ta’eiloa; 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Richie Mo’unga; 11 Emoni Narawa, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo; 15 Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Peter Lakai; 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.
Lions team news
17:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleFull-back Quan Horn and prop Boan Venter have been released from the Springboks squad to feature in this tour game. Venter will make his debut off the bench after a summer switch from Edinburgh, with Sikhumbuzo Notshe another new face after returning to South Africa from France.
Lions XV: 1 SJ Kotze, 2 PJ Botha, 3 Sebastian Lombard; 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 5 Ruan Delport; 6 Siba Mahashe, 7 Batho Hlekani, 8 Francke Horn (capt.); 9 Nico Steyn, 10 Chris Smith; 11 Erich Cronje, 12 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 14 Kelly Mpeku; 15 Quan Horn.
Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Boan Venter, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 JC Pretorius; 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.
Team news on the way
17:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a lovely evening in Johannesburg, which the All Blacks may have to make the most of ahead of an altogether more dreary forecast for Cape Town this weekend. Let’s take a look at the two teams...
The deeper significance behind South Africa and New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
16:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis series occurs at a fascinating time for the sport of rugby, with the fact it concludes in Baltimore just as intriguing as the very fact it is happening at all. With a nod to the past, here’s how it may affect rugby’s future:
The deeper significance behind the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule, results, kick-off times and how to watch South Africa vs New Zealand
16:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleOnwards, then, this landmark series rolls. This is the last of the tour matches, with just three more mighty meetings between the great rivals to come:
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule and how to watch Springboks v All Blacks
Handre Pollard and Siya Kolisi recalled as Springboks ring changes for second Test
16:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Springboks have reacted to their first Test defeat by naming a team for the second encounter as soon as possible – and have now cleared Siya Kolisi as fully fit to play, too.
Handre Pollard and Siya Kolisi recalled as Springboks ring changes for second Test
Dave Rennie delighted with strong start to series
16:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleNew Zealand’s first-Test victory against South Africa on Saturday hands them a massive advantage in the four-match series, with their hard-fought 33-16 victory at Ellis Park a statement win, said coach Dave Rennie.
The All Blacks outscored South Africa five tries to one and saw off a powerful physical challenge, emerging the slicker of the two teams as they upset the odds. “Oh, look, it's massive,” said Rennie.
“We've got a leg up, although, obviously, it doesn't guarantee anything, and we know they are such a good side. Next week's going to be just as tough.
“You know, I'm really pleased for the players. We've got a fantastic group of staff who work really hard, and it's a special night. It's tough to win at Ellis Park against a high quality side, but we're still in our infancy. We're still getting a heap around exactly how we want to play and grow and we've got some good young men coming through.”
New Zealand stun South Africa to make statement start to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
16:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was some start to the series for the All Blacks as they stunned the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday. A battling defensive performance and second-half surge unsettled South Africa in a way we rarely see.
All Blacks stun Springboks to make statement start to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
Lions vs New Zealand LIVE
15:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleWith confidence high after a statement success over the Springboks, New Zealand face one last midweek fixture on their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour as they return to Ellis Park. The Lions are the All Blacks’ opposition tonight – can they spring a shock to end the unbeaten trip?
Kick off is at 6pm BST.
