The All Blacks outscored the Lions seven tries to five in a thrilling end-to-end encounter that was action-packed throughout.
Despite the Lions last playing a competitive match back in May and being in the middle of their pre-season preparations for the 2026-27 United Rugby Championship, they looked well up for the clash against the All Blacks.
The Johannesburg men got off to a blistering start with Nico Steyn scoring the opening try of the game in the fifth minute after throwing a dummy close to the line to open up a small gap.
Less than two minutes later, Siba Mahashe extended their lead when he intercepted a pass from Noah Hotham before racing to score under the posts.
Hotham made up for the error in the 10th minute when he finished off a devastating break by Emoni Narawa to get the All Blacks on the board.
Narawa then got a try of his own 25 minutes later to bring the visitors to within two points of the Lions at 14-12 before Kelly Mpeku dived over for the Lions' third try of the game.
Fehi Fineanganofo had a try disallowed for a forward pass in the build-up, but New Zealand kept up the pressure, and Ethan Blackadder made a long run to score with five minutes left in the first half to bring them back to within four points.
The hosts made a strong start to the second half with Erich Cronje putting the finishing touches on a blistering Mahashe run on the left wing and Franke Horn dotted down in the 47th minute after the Lions destroyed the All Blacks scrum on the five-metre line.
However, after that, it was all New Zealand as they found their groove to score four unanswered tries to sneak a narrow win.
Rieko Ioane scored twice in the space of five minutes before Blackadder and Narawa both completed braces in the final 20 minutes to take the score to 41-35 to the visitors.
Chris Smith added 10 points with the boot for the Lions from five conversions, while Beauden Barrett kicked one conversion and Richie Mo'unga two for the All Blacks.
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen admitted his side are a little undercooked for their Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour match against the All Blacks but believes the occasion will help elevate their performance.
Springboks Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche both earn career milestones in the second Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry against the All Blacks in Cape Town this Saturday.
The Lions have been boosted by the return of Springboks Quan Horn and Boan Venter for their Rugby's Greatest Rivalry clash against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Tuesday night.
New Zealand superstar flyhalf Richie Mo'unga will make his long-awaited return to the All Blacks for their Rugby's Greatest Rivalry fixture against the Lions on Tuesday.
