Henderson has an excellent record at first-class level

He will play his final first-class game in his native country when Western Province face KwaZulu-Natal in the Supersport Series final.

"I've decided on this course of action because it is clear to me I have no future at national level," he said.

Henderson, 31, has agreed a two year deal with Leicestershire.

He is the first player to be given a county contract following a ruling in the case of Slovakian handball player Maros Kolpak, who won the right to play in Germany without being classed as a foreigner.

South Africa has an associate agreement with the European Union, so Henderson can play in England without being classed as an overseas signing.

"I will miss South African cricket, but life ia about the future," he commented.

Leicestershire chairman Neil Davidson has defended their decision to sign Henderson.

"EU and Kolpak registrations are the direct result of employment law verdicts and are probably here to stay.

"This brings into question the credibility of maintaining an overseas player regulation at all," he told the club's official website.

Some other clubs have taken a supportive view.

"The primary function of a professional club is to field as competitive an XI as it can. The pressure is felt by smaller counties like Somerset and Leicestershire," said Somerset chief executive Peter Anderson.

"We have decided we won't do it at the moment, but that doesn't mean we wouldn't in the future."