The South African all-rounder Beyers Swanepoel has seemingly put his deal with Worcestershire at risk after leaving the final of South Africa’s one-day cup early to catch his flight to England.

Swanepoel had been playing for the Lions against the Titans in Johannesburg on Sunday when he left the field in the 43rd over of the second innings having completed his 10-over allocation.

Reports have suggested that his teammates initially assumed he had suffered an injury, before he subsequently went to the dugout to say goodbye to some of the squad to head to the airport.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, the Lions initially had a substitute fielder replace Swanepoel before the Titans questioned whethere he was still on the ground. The substitute was subsequently removed, with the Lions forced to field with 10 players and losing from the penultimate ball.

The Lions have suggested that they will now investigate the circumstances surrounding Swanepoel’s mid-match departure, and why they were not informed prior to the final.

“I am extremely disappointed in Beyers. His actions go completely against the culture and values of the team which we have worked to build for the last six years,” Jono Leaf-Wright, the Lions chief executive, told ESPN Cricinfo. “He has let the union and the fans down.”

Swanepoel is due to be available for the entire county summer for Worcestershire having joined from Kent in the winter, though will require Cricket South Africa (CSA) to sign a no-objection certificate (NOC). ESPN Cricinfo suggest that the document is currently unsigned, and now in doubt.

The Lions were already without regular coach Russell Domingo for the final after he took up a new role with Hampshire. Domingo had clarified his travel plans in advance.

The County Championship starts on Friday with Worcestershire looking to bounce back from relegation to Division Two. They travel to Derbyshire in their first game.