LONDON (AP) - Ian McGeechan has been named as head coach of the British and Irish Lions rugby team to tour South Africa in 2009 and hopes to repeat his triumph over the Springboks from 11 years ago.

The former Scotland international will make his fourth tour as a Lions head coach having also twice gone as a player to South Africa and New Zealand.

"The fact South Africa are world champions again will make it a very special tour," McGeechan told reporters on Wednesday.

South Africa beat England in last year's World Cup final.

McGeechan led the Lions to a 2-1 test series victory over Australia in 1989 and South Africa in '97. His team lost 2-1 to New Zealand in '93.

The last Lions tour to New Zealand was a disastrous 3-0 loss in 2005, when McGeechan was assistant to Clive Woodward, the 2003 World Cup winning England coach.

As head coach again, McGeechan will be able to make his own decisions about the makeup of the squad and he is expected to recruit Wales' Six Nations Grand Slam coach Warren Gatland and his assistant Shaun Edwards to the coaching staff for the tour.

"The Lions are special and unique. You can't compare them to anything else you'll do as a player or coach," McGeechan said. "I have a strong philosophy and principle in what the Lions should be trying to do. Because the Lions are so unique, the preparation has to be unique. Ten games in eight weeks is a unique challenge."

A former Scotland coach who became director of rugby at Northampton and Wasps at club level, McGeechan, 61, emerged as the top candidate for 2009.

"We wanted someone with a special bond with the Lions," said team chairman Andy Irvine. "We looked elsewhere as well but time and again we kept going back to Ian. He's the most successful coach in Lions history.

"Many players have said playing for the Lions is the highlight of their career. And we expect 50,000 fans to travel South Africa. The 2005 tour was very disappointing as we lost the test series 3-0 so it's vital we have the best leadership to achieve success in South Africa. Once Gerald Davies was appointed tour manager all our attentions focused on who would be the best coach. From day one McGeechan was in our thoughts."

Among the 10 matches scheduled in South Africa in late May to early July 2009, the Lions will play three tests against the Springboks in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg.