The Highlanders, currently touring South Africa, have lost utility back James Wilson to a hip injury.

The fullback or first five-eighth will be returning to New Zealand this weekend as the Highlanders take on the Stormers in a Super 14 rugby match on Sunday.

Wilson had injured his hip while playing against the Bulls in Pretoria, according to team manager Greg O'Brien.

"Unfortunately James has not recovered from the hip injury as well as we had hoped," O'Brien said.

"He is going back to New Zealand as he requires further assessment of his injury."

Fullback Glen Horton a member of the Highlanders wider training group left for South Africa on Saturday to join the Highlanders in Cape Town.

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