Rugby-McGeechan Lions pedigree vital, says Bok coach De Villiers

JOHANNESBURG, May 14 (Reuters) - Ian McGeechan's experience of guiding a winning British and Irish Lions team in South Africa will be invaluable, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said on Wednesday.

McGeechan was unveiled as the head coach for next year's three-test tour on Wednesday, giving him the chance to repeat the success of 1997 against a Springbok side that were also then world champions.

De Villiers, who succeeded Jake White after the World Cup triumph in France last year, congratulated McGeechan on his appointment.

"Ian was the natural choice, he is one of the premier thinkers in the game," South Africa's first black coach told Reuters on Wednesday.

"He has a rich and successful history with the Lions, and he boasts a very proud record as a player, assistant coach and coach.

"We in South Africa will remember what he achieved back in 1997 when his Lions side beat the Springboks 2-1, and quite clearly we must prepare for a similarly drilled and well-prepared side."

De Villiers is likely to field a new-look side when they play Grand Slam winners Wales twice in June meaning the Lions could face a relatively unknown quantity twelve months later.

EARLY DAYS

Gary Teichmann, who captained the Springboks in the 2-1 series loss in 1997, said that while McGeechan's abilities are well known, he was unsure what the South African team would be like in 2009.

"Ian brought a team here that was underestimated and not expected to do well, but he managed to get them to gel together, which showed his capabilities. Stronger British Lions teams have not been able to do that," Teichmann told Reuters.

Carel du Plessis, who coached the Springboks in 1997, expressed similar sentiments.

"It's still early days at this stage and there are too many variables between now and 2009 to know what to expect," the former Springbok winger told Reuters.

"But Ian is an experienced coach, he's been there and been successful. It will be very valuable that he has been on tour here before.

"It's the first season for our new coach [De Villiers] and a year down the line, the team might have changed quite a bit."

Former Scotland coach McGeechan has been associated with the Lions for more than 30 years and next year's trip will mark his seventh as coach and player.

He coached them to series victories over Australia in 1989 and South Africa eight years later and as a centre featured in every test of the 1974 series victory over South Africa and the series loss to New Zealand in 1977.

(Editing by Padraic Halpin)