Eddie Jones' plans for playing at altitude under scrutiny after first Test defeat by South Africa

Faf de Klerk revealed after a pulsating first Test at Ellis Park that the Springboks felt Jones’ decision to base his squad at sea level in Umhlanga would play into their hands

Eddie Jones insisted the outcome of Saturday's Test had nothing to do with the altitude (Getty)

Eddie Jones has come under mounting pressure in the wake of England’s 42-39 defeat by the Springboks after his plan for playing on the Highveld was seized upon by South Africa as a weakness to be exploited.

Faf de Klerk, the irrepressible Sale scrum-half, revealed after a pulsating first Test at Ellis Park that the Springboks felt Jones’ decision to base his squad at sea level in Umhlanga would play into their hands.

Science shows that teams should arrive for a match at least 10 days early or less than 24 hours before kick-off if they are to mitigate the effects of playing at altitude, but Jones’ view is that it is performance and not oxygen levels that dictate the outcome.

A roller-coaster clash in Johannesburg saw England build an astonishing 21-point lead inside 18 minutes before being over-run by the rampant Springboks, who were directed by their half-back magician.

“We knew they were based in Durban and that coming from the UK the altitude was going to be a factor. I think the altitude plays a part,” De Klerk said.

Jones, however, explains a result that could plunge England as low as fifth in the world rankings through the self-inflicted wounds that first surfaced during the Six Nations.

“The South African teams who play on the coast don’t stay at altitude. We don’t think the benefits of staying at altitude are massive enough,” Jones said.

“And we didn’t lose the game because of altitude. We lost the game because of our individual errors and discipline.

“The way we started the game and thereafter, you wouldn’t have thought altitude was the problem. It was a momentum game based on possession.

“The way we played in the first 20 minutes, we didn’t look like a side who had lost their last three games.

Faf de Klerk put in a sublime performance for the Springboks (Getty)

“It was a game we should have won and we lost it, which is always difficult to swallow, but we will pick ourselves up and get ready for Bloemfontein.”

The extent of England’s barren spell is disputed by Jones, who refuses to add last month’s defeat by the Barbarians in a non-cap international at Twickenham to the three defeats endured in the second half of the Six Nations.

The Australian responded curtly when pushed on the run, stating “we’ve not had five defeats, we have lost four Test matches” and then adding “I’m not going to answer that question because I will lose my patience”.

In the eyes of their head coach, the series would mark the beginning of England’s march towards next year’s World Cup and pre-match he declared that to be successful at the competition “you’ve got to win games like South Africa at Ellis Park”.

Instead of that scenario unfolding, they were exposed by a callow Springboks team whose training had been interrupted by a money-spinning Test against Wales in Washington last weekend. Jones sees no crisis, however.

“I thought we handled it well. Our start was outstanding. I have never seen a team do that at Ellis Park,” Jones said.

“All the teams I have brought here, the first 20 minutes they usually get blown away. We did the exact opposite. So I’m absolutely pleased with that, but I’m not pleased with the individual errors that followed.”