Lions v All Blacks at Ellis Park - Why We're Waiting on the Market
The Lions host the All Blacks at Ellis Park at 19:00 SAST on Tuesday 25 August, and no SA-licensed book has posted a market on the fixture yet. That is not a hedge, it is the reason there is no pick on this page.
We rate Hollywoodbets, Betway, WSB and Sportingbet as the primary SA outs for rugby. We checked all four for the Lions fixture on 18 August. None had posted a match result, a handicap or a total. The Test on Saturday 22 August at Ellis Park is priced. The Tuesday midweek game is not.
- SA books have not opened a market on Lions v All Blacks as of 18 August.
- All Blacks have won the three tour warm-ups by a combined 142-40 (Stormers 21-38, Sharks 0-54, Bulls 19-50).
- The Lions play a Currie Cup fixture on 21 August, four days before facing New Zealand.
What we're watching for
Three signals move this from a hold to a pick. First, the SA books need to post the market. When they do we will publish a proper preview with a named price at a named brand. Second, we need the All Blacks 23. A shadow XV changes the read from "manage minutes" to "genuine second-string test". Third, we need the Lions matchday group after their Currie Cup game on 21 August. Head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi's side sits fifth on the Currie Cup log after a 29-38 home loss to Boland Cavaliers on 14 August, so rotation on 25 August is a live question.
Ground truth on the tour so far
The three franchise warm-ups tell one story. The Stormers lost 21-38 in Cape Town on 7 August. The Sharks were beaten 0-54 at Kings Park on 11 August. The Bulls conceded 50 at Loftus on 15 August. The touring group has averaged 47 points scored across three matches and conceded 13. That is the platform for the market when it opens, and it explains why a Lions handicap in single digits is unlikely to appear.
What this page is not
This is not a preview with a hidden pick. There is no handicap position, no total position, no player prop and no outright call on this page today. Once the market opens we will publish a full preview at this URL with a named decimal price at a specific SA brand, sourced from the live market. Until then, this page tells you what we are watching and why.
Check for Lions vs All Blacks markets at Betway
Kick-off and viewing
Kick-off is 19:00 SAST at Ellis Park on Tuesday 25 August. Angus Gardner referees. SuperSport carries the tour in South Africa across its rugby channel, with DStv Stream for the online feed.
Verdict
No market means no pick. That is the rule. Bookmark this URL, follow the full itinerary in our Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026 hub, and check back after SA books post the fixture and both matchday 23s are named. When we have a real edge, we will call it.
Every warm-up and Test in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026 hub, plus our Springboks v All Blacks first Test preview.
18+ only. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly. SA Responsible Gambling Foundation: 0800 006 008.