Lions' big guns ready to roar against the All Blacks

The 10bet Lions and All Blacks have named their match-23s for Tuesday night's final franchise match in the Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series when the two teams clash from 7pm in Johannesburg.

Tickets are still available for the match at 10bet Ellis Park (click here: https://springboks.tmtickets.co.za/), with the action to be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Prop Saula Ma’u will play his first game for the All Blacks, with two players who were drafted in as injury replacements, 68-Test prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah, named on the bench.

Meanwhile, returning All Black flyhalf Richie Mo’unga will don the black jersey for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while halfback Noah Hotham also returns for his first appearance for the All Blacks in 2026.

Kyle Preston starts off the bench to become the only player to have played every game so far on tour. Peter Lakai and Anton Lienert-Brown, who played in the first Test last Saturday, will also back up against the Lions. The side will again be captained by lock Patrick Tuipulotu.

“Firstly, I want to congratulate Saula on making his All Blacks debut, it will be a special day for him and his family,” said All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie.

“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.

“I’ve been impressed with the way that all players in our squad have responded to the quick turnaround between games. The Lions match comes just three days after the first Test match but everyone has been involved in preparing this team to play.

“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.”

On the 10bet Lions' side, head coach Ivan van Rooyen has included two players in the match-23 who are currently part of the extended Springbok squad - fullback Quan Horn, and prop Boan Venter, who will provide impact off the bench.

They are joined by the bulk of the squad that helped the Lions to secure the SA Shield in the 2025/26 Vodacom United Rugby Championship, with Francke Horn named as captain.

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

All Black starting XV: 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 (capt), 4 Sam Darry; 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1 Siale Lauaki. 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.

Fidelity ADT Lions v All Blacks - Tuesday @ 10bet Ellis Park (7pm)

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)