Osprey is back home in South Africa

The Springbok star joined the Ospreys as emergency cover in December following injuries to Mike Phillips, Jamie Nutbrown, Tom Isaacs and Shane Williams.

The 40-cap veteran played six times for the Liberty Stadium outfit, finishing on the winning side on all bar one occasion.

But, with Phillips expected back in action later this month, Januarie has returned home to join up with the Stormers ahead of the 2010 Super 14 season.

The 28-year-old trained with his Stormers colleagues on Monday for the first time since rejoining the Cape Town based franchise.

And his return was met with a positive response from Stormers head coach Allister Coetzee, who believes the European adventure has been a hugely beneficial experience for Januarie.

"Ricky is definitely back and he attended his first practice today (Monday). I am fairly happy with reports and the videos I've seen of Ricky playing overseas," said Coetzee.

"I am very happy to see that he has been involved in all the games over there. They qualified for the quarter-finals (of the Heineken Cup) so we're happy he made a contribution there.

"Ricky has always had the fight, and that is what they needed and I suppose that's why they opted for a scrum-half like Ricky.

"He was quite effective around the rucks and mauls and defensively. From our point of view we're happy he had all the game time under the belt and he's match-ready.

"Obviously, it's warm-up conditions over here now and I'm looking forward to seeing him play."

As for Januarie himself, the former Boland Cavaliers and Golden Lions star has hinted at a possible return to Magners League rugby some time in the future.

Although he admits he has unfinished business in his home country ahead of the 2011 World Cup, a second spell in the UK or Ireland could be a possibility at a later date.

"I don't want to say whether I might come back or might not come back," explained Januarie.

"I don't want to speak my mind because you don't know what's going to happen back home. But what I can say is that I've really enjoyed my time here. I've loved playing for the Ospreys and it has been an amazing experience for me.

"I like the players - they are really nice guys, a fantastic group of people. What better team could I have been in? I'm just happy to have been here and I've really enjoyed my time.

"I've played in Magners League, Welsh derbies and some big games in the Heineken Cup. And I have loved every minute of it."