The All Blacks will embrace the altitude factor when they face the Springboks on Saturday in the third Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
The All Blacks are confident they have adapted enough to the altitude of Johannesburg, so much so that they spent half of this week preparing in Cape Town for the second Test.
Any other team in world rugby would’ve taken the first flight out on Sunday after that second match in Cape Town to adapt to what the thin air will ask of them on Saturday at FNB Stadium in Soweto (5.10pm kick-off).
However, the New Zealanders – having beaten the Springboks at Ellis Park in the opening match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry – feel they are accustomed to what the height above sea level will ask of them. That is why head coach Dave Rennie allowed his players to spend more time in Cape Town, where they had the beach and ample support around them.
That would’ve given them even more comfort before flying up to Johannesburg for the last of the South African-based matches. With the series tied at 1-1, it’s set up to be a humdinger as both sides look to take the lead heading into the final Test in Baltimore in the United States next week.
