SOUTH African lock Wilhelm van der Sluys has returned to his homeland to join Super Rugby side Southern Kings on loan.

The lock arrived at Worcester Warriors as a trialist in November.

He made his only first-team appearance in Warriors’ 62-10 Anglo-Welsh Cup battering at Wasps in November.

At the time, it was hoped van der Sluys would provide much-needed cover after injuries to Tevita Cavubati, Christian Scotland-Williamson and Will Spencer.

However, Spencer and Cavubati are now now both fit.

Van der Sluys has struggled to make an impact at Warriors and had loan spells at Championship clubs Rotherham Titans and London Scottish.

Prior to Warriors' pounding by Wasps, Worcester's defence coach Simon Cross said: "He’s got a degree in accountancy so he’s good with numbers and percentages.

"He’s picked up all our line-outs pretty quickly and I am quite excited to see him defend as well.”

Van der Sluys came through Western Province’s youth system and made 25 appearances for the Cape Town-based side.