Lions face All Blacks at Ellis Park with Springboks reinforcements

The Lions will face the New Zealand All Blacks in the final match of the "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The All Blacks are unbeaten on their South African tour, having defeated the Stormers, Sharks, and Bulls before beating the Springboks 21-14 in the first Test on Saturday, August 22.

The Lions, coached by Ivan van Rooyen, have been strengthened for the fixture with the release of two Springboks players. Fullback Quan Horn will start, while prop Boan Venter is set to make his debut for the franchise from the bench. This allows the United Rugby Championship club to field a near full-strength side, which also includes several potential debutants among its new signings.

Van Rooyen expressed his excitement about the opportunity. "It's such a wonderful occasion, such a privilege to be in this game," he said. "We feel there's some momentum being built compared to two seasons ago... If it has to happen tomorrow night that a miracle can happen, then that will be an unbelievable achievement from our side." He indicated the team had adapted its preparation for the unique clash, prioritizing readiness for this match over the...