The appointment of Allister Coetzee as the new Springboks coach is a "watershed moment" for the game, according to South Africa Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins.

Coetzee, 52, was confirmed as Heyneke Meyer's successor on Tuesday on a contract that takes him through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He will bring a wealth of experience to the role having coached the Stormers from 2010 through to 2015 and he was also part of the Springboks staff that helped guide South Africa to the 2007 World Cup.

Hoskins has labelled Coetzee the "outstanding candidate" for the role and pointed to his understanding of South Africa's "transformation imperatives".

"Allister's appointment marks the changing of the guard at the top of Springbok rugby and is an exciting new departure for SA Rugby," said Hoskins. "It is a watershed moment for our game with new players developing alongside a spine of experience and it was the right time to have a new man guiding the Springboks for the foreseeable future.

"Allister was the outstanding candidate in terms of his rugby credentials, his understanding of our unique South African transformation imperatives and also in the image he will present as Springbok coach. I am delighted to welcome him back into the Springbok fold.

"The Springbok coaching job is an enormous challenge but Allister has the full support of us at SA Rugby and we will be united in our efforts to continue to make Springbok rugby strong. I want to wish him well in his new job, I also want to pay tribute to Heyneke and his management team for their dedication and service to Springbok rugby the past four years."

Coetzee's first job will be to prepare South Africa for their three-Test series with Ireland which begins on Jun. 11 in Cape Town.