New Zealand chase a clean franchise sweep as strengthened Lions lie in wait
The All Blacks arrive at Ellis Park for the final provincial fixture of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry unbeaten on tour and one Test up on South Africa, but they do so with a completely reshuffled side and a home team given a timely lift. The Fidelity Securedrive Lions take on New Zealand on Tuesday, 25 August, with kick-off at 19:00 local time, as the visitors look to complete a clean run through the South African franchises before turning their attention back to the second Test.
Lions
New Zealand
For the tourists, this is as much a squad-management exercise as it is a contest. Head coach Dave Rennie has named an entirely new starting XV from the side that beat South Africa 33–16 three days earlier, and the standout name is Richie Mo'unga, back in the black jersey for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. It is a chance for fringe players to press their claims, but Rennie is under no illusions about the task.
"We know we will have to be at our very best again to prepare for what we know will be another physical match against a Lions side that has been lying in wait," Rennie said.
Form lines pulling in opposite directions
New Zealand's tour record makes for uncomfortable reading if you are wearing red. They have beaten the Stormers 38–21, put 54–0 on the Sharks and dispatched the Bulls 50–19, before taking the first Test at this ground 33–16. The franchises have struggled to live with their pace and handling.
Last Match Form
The Lions come in off a difficult end to their URC campaign. A 59–10 quarter-final defeat at Leinster, plus losses to Munster and Leinster in the closing rounds of the regular season, meant their campaign lost momentum. Even so, home advantage at Ellis Park still counts for something, and the players know exactly what an opportunity like this represents.
The releases that change the picture
The Lions' team sheet is stronger than it might have been. The Springboks have released Quan Horn, who starts at fullback, and Boan Venter, who is named among the replacements. Recent arrivals Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Hyron Andrews and Boeta Chamberlain add experience to the bench, while Francke Horn captains the side from number eight.
Fidelity Securedrive Lions
Forwards
- 1SJ KotzeLoosehead Prop
- 2PJ BothaHooker
- 3Sebastian LombardTighthead Prop
- 4Etienne OosthuizenSecond Row
- 5Ruan DelportSecond Row
- 6Sibabalwe MahasheFlanker
- 7Bathobele HlekaniFlanker
- 8Francke HornNumber Eight
Backs
- 9Nico SteynScrum Half
- 10Chris SmithFly Half
- 11Erich CronjeLeft Wing
- 12Richard KrielInside Centre
- 13Henco van WykOutside Centre
- 14Kelly MpekuRight Wing
- 15Quan HornFull Back
Replacements
- 16Morne BrandonSubstitute
- 17Morne VenterSubstitute
- 18RF SchoemanSubstitute
- 19Hyron AndrewsSubstitute
- 20Sikhumbuzo NotsheSubstitute
- 21JC PretoriusSubstitute
- 22Haashim PeadSubstitute
- 23Boeta ChamberlainSubstitute
New Zealand
Forwards
- 1Siale LauakiLoosehead Prop
- 2Samisoni Taukei'ahoHooker
- 3Pasilio TosiTighthead Prop
- 4Sam DarrySecond Row
- 5Patrick TuipulotuSecond Row
- 6Wallace SititiFlanker
- 7Ethan BlackadderFlanker
- 8Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloaNumber Eight
Backs
- 9Noah HothamScrum Half
- 10Richie Mo'ungaFly Half
- 11Emoni NarawaLeft Wing
- 12Timoci TavatavanawaiInside Centre
- 13Rieko IoaneOutside Centre
- 14Fehi FineanganofoRight Wing
- 15Beauden BarrettFull Back
Replacements
- 16Bradley SlaterSubstitute
- 17Ofa Tu'ungafasiSubstitute
- 18Saula Ma'uSubstitute
- 19Jamie HannahSubstitute
- 20Peter LakaiSubstitute
- 21Kyle PrestonSubstitute
- 22Josh JacombSubstitute
- 23Anton Lienert-BrownSubstitute
For New Zealand, Patrick Tuipulotu captains the side from lock, with a backline built around Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett at fullback and Rieko Ioane at outside centre. Rennie also confirmed a debut in his matchday squad, with prop Saula Ma'u named on the bench.
"With the naming of this matchday 23, everyone currently in the squad will have played on tour, which is great for creating depth and competition for places in the Test team," Rennie said.
Where the game could be decided
Three areas stand out. The first is the front row. If the Lions are to make life awkward, their set-piece has to give them a platform, and the presence of fresh front-row options on the bench points to a plan for the closing stages. The franchises before them have generally been outpaced rather than overpowered up front, so the home pack needs to slow the game down.
- Richie Mo'unga – his return at 10 will shape how the visitors play.
- Quan Horn – the released Springbok gives the Lions genuine class and calm at the back.
- Francke Horn – captaining from number eight, he needs to lead the contact battle and keep his side in the fight.
The second is the breakdown and speed of ball. New Zealand have punished slow line-speed and loose ruck ball throughout the tour. The Lions cannot afford turnovers in their own half against a side this dangerous on the counter.
The third is scoreboard control. The franchises that stayed closest, notably the Stormers, did so by taking their chances and limiting the wide spaces. The moment the game opens up, the tourists have shown they can take full advantage.
What each side needs
New Zealand want a clean, controlled performance to round off the provincial leg and send fringe players back into the Test picture with confidence. This is their last outing before facing South Africa again in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Lions, boosted and playing at home, will want to be the franchise that finally makes the tourists work for it. On the tour evidence so far, containing New Zealand for 80 minutes is a tall order, but a strengthened side and a full Ellis Park would at least give them something to build around.
Kick-off is at 19:00 local time. On recent form the visitors are clear favourites, but the Lions have less to lose and more to prove.