SOUTH African centre Wynand Olivier has joined Worcester Warriors for their Aviva Premiership return.

Your Worcester News reported last month how the 32-year-old was on the verge of completing a move to Sixways.

Olivier was understood to have agreed a two-year deal with Warriors but had been applying for a visa.

Now Olivier will link up with his new team-mates immediately ahead of Warriors’ friendly clash with Midlands rivals Wasps on Saturday (3pm).

He said: “Sixways is an exciting place to be with all the changes and developments taking place.

“The vision of the club is something that appeals to any professional athlete and I can’t wait to compete for my place in the squad. I want to help push Warriors to be successful in the Premiership.”

Olivier has been brought into the Warriors set-up because Andy Symons has been ruled out until at least November after suffering serious knee ligament damage earlier this year.

Olivier has just completed two seasons with Montpellier, making 38 appearances for the French club and fea - turing alongside new Warriors prop Na’ama Leleimalefaga.

The South African featured at Sixways earlier this month for the Barbarians who recorded a 43-35 victory against Warriors in a pre-season encounter.

He also played for the Barbarians in their clash against Samoa at the Olympic Stadium in London.

Olivier has represented South Africa 38 times with his last appearance in June 2014 — a win over Wales.

Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan said: “Wynand is another example of a player that brings international and European experience which is essential to the balance of a successful squad."