The All Blacks remained unbeaten on their ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ tour after a narrow win over the Lions at Ellis Park on Tuesday evening.

The New Zealanders were made to sweat for their victory, eventually prevailing 41-35 after trailling 21-17 at half-time.

Found a way.

Thank you @lionsrugbyco, you came to play 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 pic.twitter.com/xYO3wNHjr6

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 25, 2026
Provincial sweep

The All Blacks beat the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls in earlier matches, as well as the Springboks in the opening Test, also at Ellis Park, last weekend.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Lions, who were hoping to beat New Zealand 98 years after achieving the feat for the only time when the team was known as Transvaal.

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Emoni Narawa, Ethan Blackadder and Rieko Ioane scored two tries each and scrumhalf Noah Hotham one for New Zealand.

Richie Mo’unga, wearing an All Blacks shirt for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final loss to South Africa, slotted two conversions and fullback Beauden Barrett one.

Scrumhalf Nico Steyn, lanker Siba Mahashe, wings Kelly Mpeku and Erich Cronje, and captain and No 8 Francke Horn scored a try each for the Lions.

Flyhalf Chris Smith converted all five.

Next up for the All Blacks will be the second Test at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, 29 August.

Kick-off is at 17:10.

Teams

Lions

15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Erich Cronjé, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.

Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Boan Venter, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Boeta Chamberlain

New Zealand

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11 Emoni Narawa, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Semisi Ta’eiloa, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 4 Sam Darry, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Siale Lauaki

Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown