The method format(String, Object[]) in the type String is not applicable for the arguments (...)

Here is my code:

int hoursFormat = 1, minsFormat = 2, secsFormat = 3;
String timeFormat = String.format("%02d:%02d:%02d",hoursFormat, minsFormat, secsFormat);

This gives a compilation error:

Unresolved compilation problem: 
    The method format(String, Object[]) in the type String is not applicable for the 
      arguments (String, int, int, int)

Why am I getting this error here and how can I fix it?