Harlequins have mutually agreed with Springbok hooker Gary Botha to an early release from his playing contract in order for him to return to South Africa with his family.

Botha has already started negotiations with his former team, the Blue Bulls, in Pretoria.

In a statement released by the club on Monday, Harlequins thanked Botha for his contribution to the club and wished him well for his future back in South Africa.

The statement also confirmed that this weekend's upcoming clash with Bath would be the hooker's last for Quins.

Ian Schwartz, the Bulls' High Performance Manager, told iafrica.com that they have started negotiations with the player to rejoin the Bulls in Pretoria - the team he played for when they won the Super 14 for the first time in 2007.

"Gary is still young and he wants to return to South Africa," Schwartz told this website.

"No contract has been signed yet, but we are working in that direction," he added.

Speaking about the departure of Botha, Harlequins head coach John Kingston, said: "I am personally very saddened to see Gary departing us for South Africa. He has been an integral part of the recent success of Quins. Equally, the club understands his situation and were clearly happy to facilitate his return back home."

Botha himself added: "I have clearly enjoyed my time at Quins and it is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving.

"I would like to place on record my gratitude to Quins for agreeing to my situation and allowing an early release from my contract. I have made many friends in my time at the club and will watch with interest the progress of the team."

It is believed Botha's departure from Quins is the latest development in the infamous 'bloodgate' scandal that rocked the Premiership club.

Last month, Quins Chairman Charles Jillings resigned from the club, former Director of Rugby Dean Richards was banned from the game for three years, physio Steph Brennan for two and Williams for four months.

This followed the use of a fake blood capsule by wing Tom Williams to facilitate a blood replacement substitution during a Heineken Cup game against Leinster last season.

We can also reveal that Botha's contract with Quins was linked to that of Richards and with the former England international leaving his post as Director, it opened the way for Botha to request a termination of his contract.

And he is now heading back to South Africa.

The 27-year-old No.2, who made his Bok debut against Australia at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, in 2005, was also a member of the 2007 World Cup-winning South African side.

The last of his 12 Tests - five of which he started at hooker and the others off the bench - was against Tonga at Stade Felix Bollaert, in Lens, at the World Cup.