Former Springbok Wikus van Heerden is leaving Saracens to return to South Africa later this year.

At the conclusion of the current English season, van Heerden will pack his bags and return to his country of birth.

Saracens director of rugby, Brendan Venter said “Wikus wishes to return to South Africa for the sake of his family, and we accept his wishes. He is a formidable loose forward who has represented the club with distinction over the past couple of seasons.”

van Heerden is an uncompromising flanker who always gives 100% and never lets any side down. He is an asset to any side and is still young enough to play for the Springboks.

Is representing the Springboks the decision for his return? Whilst he has yet to sign for a province, and one would imagine he’d be keen to join up with the champion Bulls side again, his motivation may be the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

“This is purely a personal decision. From a rugby point of view I have never been happier at any stage of my career. Saracens is now a fantastically well-run club with a very bright future, and I wish I was able to stay and be a part of that future. For the next five months, I am 100% focused on ensuring we finish this special season with at least one trophy” said van Heerden.

If he was happy at Saracens and had no intention of playing for the Springboks again, I’m sure he wouldn’t be returning. To be elible for the Springboks he would have to play his domestic rugby in South Africa. Surely he wants to challenge once more for a Springbok spot and go to another World Cup.

Gary Botha also recently to South Africa, and the success of the Springboks in 2009 and the lure of defending the Rugby World Cup may well bring more South Africans plying their trade in Europe back home.

I am sure Jean de Villiers will return, but there could be more. It will certainly help South African rugby and may be just the remedy Peter de Villiers needs to give his top players a rest.