Wikus van Heerden has left Saracens after the Guinness Premiership club agreed to an early release request from the Lions.

The former Springbok flanker was set to leave the Men in Black this summer but he will now return to South Africa to play in the Super 14.

Van Heerden announced in January he was going to leave due to personal reasons, with his family thought to be unsettled, and his form has dipped since the decision was made.

Sarries director of rugby Brendan Venter said: "Wikus has produced many outstanding performances for Saracens and we wish him and his family well."