Lions 35 - 41 All Blacks

● full_time 80 minutes

25 Aug 2026

International Tour

Stage: Regular Season Round 1

Ellis Park

Head to Head

🎉 1

👏 1

💩 1

🔥 2

😭 1

The match at Ellis Park saw New Zealand narrowly defeat the Lions 41-35 in a thrilling contest. The Lions took an early lead with tries from Steyn and Mahashe, followed by a strong performance from Chris Smith with five conversions. New Zealand responded with tries from Hotham and Narawa, but the Lions maintained their advantage at halftime, leading 28-17. In the second half, New Zealand mounted a comeback, with Ioane scoring two tries and Blackadder adding another to shift momentum. The Lions struggled to contain New Zealand's relentless attack as they surged ahead. Despite a valiant effort from the Lions, including a try from Horn, New Zealand sealed their victory with a late try from Narawa. This match showcased the resilience and skill of both teams, with New Zealand emerging victorious in a high-scoring affair.

Broadcasters

Weather

Temperature: 19.0°C (Feels like 16.8°C) Condition: Clear Wind: 8.0 km/h, gusting to 22.5 km/h Humidity: 22% Cloud Cover: 0%

Highlights

Events

0' kickoff
4' try Nico Steyn
5' conversion Chris Smith
6' try Sibabalwe Mahashe
7' conversion Chris Smith
10' try Noah Hotham
10' conversion Beauden Barrett
19' substitution Etienne Oosthuizen
24' try Emoni Narawa
32' try Kelly Mpeku
33' conversion Chris Smith
35' try Ethan Blackadder
38' substitution Sebastian Lombard
40' try Erich Cronje
40' substitution RF Schoeman
40' half_time
40' second_half
41' conversion Chris Smith
46' try Francke Horn
47' conversion Chris Smith
48' substitution Patrick Tuipulotu
49' try Rieko Ioane
50' conversion Richie Mo'unga
51' substitution SJ Kotze
51' substitution PJ Botha
51' substitution Sebastian Lombard
53' substitution Fehi Fineanganofo
53' substitution Nico Steyn
54' substitution Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa
54' substitution Noah Hotham
55' try Rieko Ioane
56' conversion Richie Mo'unga
60' substitution Pasilio Tosi
61' try Ethan Blackadder
62' substitution Samisoni Taukei'aho
63' substitution Bathobele Hlekani
63' substitution Francke Horn
64' substitution Timoci Tavatavanawai
70' substitution Siale Lauaki
71' substitution Erich Cronje
79' try Emoni Narawa
80' full_time