Johann van Graan has welcomed the impending return of Tyler Bleyendaal to the Munster jersey after the out-half spent eight months out with a neck injury.
The New Zealand native became Ireland qualified in January and had trained with Joe Schmidt's squad before his season ended with neck surgery in March.
He will make his comeback for Munster in their Pro14 clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday and skipper the side.
"It’s brilliant to have him back," said Van Graan. "He played 30 minutes for the A team against Leinster a few weeks ago and we have been monitoring him the whole time, he is itching to go.
"He will start this weekend and he will also be the captain, something he has done before for Munster.
"It’s great to have him back in a leadership role and it’s great to have a quality player back who has been out for a really long time."
Munster have brought a 27-man squad to South Africa but are missing 24 players - nine are away on Ireland duty, 14 are injured. Billy Holland hasn't travelled due to personal reasons.
Van Graan, who has dismissed rumours linking him to Super Rugby side The Bulls, expects some of his fringe players to step up in their absence.
"It's exciting for us to come to South Africa with a very young squad," he said. "You need the depth in your squad for games like these.
"Guys like Liam Coombes, Gavin Coombes, Shane Daly, Sean O’Connor, Fineen Wycherley, Bill Johnson, this will be a first for all of them.
"Playing in Bloemfentein at altitude will be a real challenge for us. The game last year was won in the final minutes with a penalty in the scrum.
"It will be a tough battle."
