Springbok loose forward Marcell Coetzee has been granted permission for an early release from his Ulster contract.
Coetzee, 29, was set to leave the Irish club at the end of the European season after signing a three-year deal with the Bulls in December last year.
Coetzee was set to join the Bulls in July but Ulster announced in a statement on Tuesday that the player would depart on 30 April.
The 30-Test Springbok is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and needs several weeks of rehabilitation.
Commenting on Coetzee's departure, Ulster's head of rugby operations and recruitment, Bryn Cunningham, told the Belfast Telegraph: "We have come to an agreement that will allow Marcell the time and space required to continue his rehab."
"I'd like to thank Marcell for his contribution to the province over the past five years and we wish him and wife, Chanelle, the very best for their upcoming return home to South Africa."
Coetzee joined Ulster at the start of the 2016-17 season and went on to play 57 times for the province following an injury-disrupted start to his time in Belfast.