World Cup winner Percy Montgomery will join South Africa as a kicking coach for the upcoming series against the British and Irish Lions.

The 102-cap veteran full-back will take up the position at the end of May when the squad assembles to begin their preparations for the Test series.

"I was privileged to wear the jersey as a player and now have the opportunity to continue my association with the team in a different capacity. As a player I was passionate and committed to the Springbok cause and will follow the same approach in my new role," he said.

"It will be my responsibility to ensure that we develop and improve the all-round kicking game and instil confidence in our kickers, be they goal-kickers or those that must be able to kick effectively in open play.

"It will also be important to boost the confidence of each kicker."

Montgomery made his Test debut at centre against the British and Irish Lions in Durban in 1997, but after four seasons he left South Africa for Wales in 2001 and spent three years playing for Newport.

Montgomery returned to South Africa in 2004 and went on to convert 31 out of 33 goalkicks at the World Cup in France in 2007 including four penalties in the 15-6 triumph over England in the final.

"Percy is one of the greatest kickers to ever grace the game and it would be silly for us not to make use of the wealth of experience he has to offer," said Springboks coach Peter de Villiers.

"It is important that we make use of specialists such as Percy to refine and improve specific aspects of our game.

"He will be a great asset to the team and I am sure that the players will respond very well to his inputs."