Jerry Flannery will leave Harlequins next month to become the new defence coach of world champions South Africa.
The former Munster and Ireland hooker will form part of a new-look coaching ticket at the Springboks, with director of rugby Rassie Erasmus returning to the head coach role, while New Zealander Tony Brown has been brought in as the new attack coach.
Flannery will depart Harlequins at the end of this month, after a four-year spell with the English side, the highlight of which saw Quins win a surprise Premiership title in 2021.
The 45-year-old previously worked under Erasmus at Munster in 2016 and 2017, with Flannery spending six years coaching the forwards and scrum at the province after retiring from playing in 2013.
Flannery's final game with Quins will be a friendly against his former side Munster later this month, while his first games as part of the Springbok coaching team will see the world champions host Ireland for a two-Test series in the summer.
"I have loved my time at Harlequins working alongside a talented young group of coaches and players," the former hooker, who won 41 caps for Ireland, said.
"The opportunity to move into international rugby and to work alongside Rassie Erasmus again after our time at Munster was very appealing and I would like to thank Harlequins for supporting my desire to take up this opportunity to develop my career.
"I look forward to the next few weeks with Harlequins and a final home match at a sold-out Stoop in February."
He will oversee the defensive responsibilities following the departure of Jacques Nienaber to Leinster, while Felix Jones' role of attack coach will be filled by Brown.
The former All Black has enjoyed an extensive coaching career, winning a Super Rugby title with the Highlanders in 2015, as well as working as an assistant to Japan coach Jamie Joseph between 2016 and 2023.
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