London - Saracens have agreed to a request by the Lions to release captain Wikus van Heerden from his contract with immediate effect.

Van Heerden, who played and captained the Johannesburg-based team in the past, will be eligible to play in the rest of the Super 14.

Van Heerden, or “Captain Courageous”, as he was commonly referred to, left the Golden Lions Rugby Union at the end of the 2006 Currie Cup competition to join the Bulls, and thereafter moved to Saracens.

“We are very excited about having Wikus back with the GLRU”, CEO Manie Reyneke commented.

“Wikus spent most of his formative rugby career with the Lions, and is expected to have a big impact on the team when he returns.

“Wikus has always had a very big presence, both on and off the field, and that has no doubt grown over the past few years, making him even more of a leader to his teammates”.

Director of Coaching, Dick Muir, who is currently in New Zealand for the last two tour matches of the Super 14 competition, stated that he is looking forward to arriving home and having Wikus join the training squad.

“Most of the players have never been on the field with Wikus - they’ve watched him play and have followed his career with great interest, and are very excited about having him on their team.

Saracens director of rugby, Brendan Venter, said he was sad to see the former Springbok flanker go at this stage of the season, but holds no grudge.

"Wikus has produced many outstanding performances for Saracens and we wish him and his family well," Venter said.