Steve Hansen says Allister Coetzee faces 'tough test'

Steve Hansen has described Allister Coetzee as a 'good coach' but admits he faces a tough challenge as the newly appointed boss of South Africa.

Coetzee replaced Heyneke Meyer who led the Springboks to the semi-finals of last year's World Cup.

However, All Blacks coach Hansen believes Coetzee will face his biggest test when dealing with the country's 'quota system' for international rugby.

Ahead of the 2015 World Cup in England, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) stipulated that the country's squad must include seven non-white players, of which two had to be black Africans.

Hansen, who guided New Zealand to final glory at Twickenham last November, said: "I rated [Meyer] too but it's a very tough environment that they're operating in over there.

"That environment hasn't changed, so it'll be just as tough for Coetzee. He's a good coach. He deserves to be there.

"What is different for him is that they've got a quota system and sometimes I think that means they're not picking the best players they can.

"It makes it tough but that's the way it is in that country and you go in knowing that. I'm sure he'll deal with that really well.

"South Africa have always been strong and I don't see it being any different."

He's a good coach. He deserves to be there.

As for the quota system, with the SARU aiming to name a squad for the 2019 World Cup with 50 per cent non-white players, Hansen added: "It's hard for us to wrap our heads around but we didn't live in that country and its history.

"That history is still playing itself out and it's not for us to criticise them."

However, Hansen believes a selection process not based on merit may risk undermining the team's confidence and performance.

He went on: "At the end of the day, one thing I do know is that your sporting teams have got to be selected on merit because, if they're not, people start questioning whether they should or shouldn't be in the team.

"What that does is it affects your confidence and the golden rule is that if you've got a team that's confident, they'll play well, no matter who they are."

New Zealand next face South Africa in the Rugby Championship in Christchurch on September 17, with the return fixture in Durban on October 8.