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Cape Town - Renowned South African sport scientist Tim Noakes expects jet lag to catch the All Blacks when they tackle the Springboks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The All Blacks arrived in Johannesburg on Monday morning after beating Argentina in La Plata early Sunday morning (SA time).
They arrived a day later than what normally would be the case and Noakes believes it will be tough for their bodies to adapt, having flown from New Zealand to Argentina and then to South Africa.
"Their bodies are very disordered and physically they couldn't be in a worse position," Noakes told the Beeld website.
Noakes said the flight plan the All Blacks undertook before Saturday's Test is unheard of and the fact that they have one less day to adapt to South Africa's time zone could count against them.
"They'll have to adapt to a new time zone in a week's time, as well as Johannesburg's high altitude. It's impossible to adapt to both these factors," continued Noakes.
Noakes said it would have been better had the Kiwis decided to prepare for the Test at lower altitude levels, in cities like Bloemfontein, Durban or Cape Town.
In order to win the Rugby Championship, South Africa must beat New Zealand with a four-try bonus point and at the same time prevent the Kiwis from getting any bonus points themselves.
Kick-off at Ellis Park is at 17:00 on Saturday.
The All Blacks arrived in Johannesburg on Monday morning after beating Argentina in La Plata early Sunday morning (SA time).
They arrived a day later than what normally would be the case and Noakes believes it will be tough for their bodies to adapt, having flown from New Zealand to Argentina and then to South Africa.
"Their bodies are very disordered and physically they couldn't be in a worse position," Noakes told the Beeld website.
Noakes said the flight plan the All Blacks undertook before Saturday's Test is unheard of and the fact that they have one less day to adapt to South Africa's time zone could count against them.
"They'll have to adapt to a new time zone in a week's time, as well as Johannesburg's high altitude. It's impossible to adapt to both these factors," continued Noakes.
Noakes said it would have been better had the Kiwis decided to prepare for the Test at lower altitude levels, in cities like Bloemfontein, Durban or Cape Town.
In order to win the Rugby Championship, South Africa must beat New Zealand with a four-try bonus point and at the same time prevent the Kiwis from getting any bonus points themselves.
Kick-off at Ellis Park is at 17:00 on Saturday.
