New South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee says his side will be ready for taking on a "formidable" Ireland team in this summer's test series.
The ex-Stormers coach, who also served on the Springboks national team coaching setup under previous regimes, has been officially appointed.
His first tests as South Africa coach are against Joe Schmidt's Ireland with the first match in Cape Town on June 11th, followed by further games in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth on the following two weeks.
"The bottom line is we have to be ready come the incoming test series," he replied, when asked if he will have enough time to prepare before facing Ireland.
"We're starting the series at home which is a big positive and then we'll take on the Irish. They've got a settled team, they've got a good coach in Joe Schmidt and they'll be joined also by the former England defence coach, Mr [Andy] Farrell. So they will be formidable. Don't forget that they've been the Six Nations champs [in] 2014 and 2015. Don't look at this year."
