England’s altitude problem

ENGLAND flew back to their coastal base yesterday amid renewed concerns about their policy for combating the demands of playing at altitude, following defeat against South Africa at Ellis Park. The first Test in Johannesburg was staged in the highest Test stadium in the world, 1,800 metres above sea level. The second Test, in five days’ time, takes place at another Highveld venue — the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, which is 1,400m above sea level. After a fourth successive Test defeat, Jamie George admitted that the altitude had an impact. ‘It was tough after 20,’ said the hooker. ‘It (altitude) really did kick in. After 20, 30 minutes, it definitely hit us quite hard. At the same time, we’d had good plans in place from an S&C (strength & conditioning) point of view. We probably need to get better at that. We’re still at altitude in Bloemfontein, but not quite as high.’ Asked if England need a win, to halt their slump, George added: ‘Of course we do, and we’re keen to get back on track. The frustrating thing is I do feel we are nearly there.’ Faf de Klerk was man of the match in a famous Springbok victory and suggested that the conditions worked in favour of the hosts. The Sale scrum-half said: ‘We knew they were based in Durban and coming from the UK the altitude was going to be a factor.’