The Vodacom Bulls stalwart Wynand Olivier will join Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams at the completion of the Vodacom Super Rugby series, the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd announced today.

Olivier, who played his 100th match for the Vodacom Bulls 2 weeks ago, will return from Japan in February 2013 and will again be available to play for the Bulls in the 2013 Vodacom Super Rugby series.

He will return to the Rams at the end of the 2013 VSR season, when his contract with the BBC runs out.

“We have decided to release Wynand from his Currie Cup duties for this period and allow him to play for the Black Rams in their Top League and Japanese Cup competitions. We believe this is a win-win situation for Wynand, the Bulls and the Rams,” Barend van Graan, CEO of the BBC said.

“Wynand has been a very loyal servant to the Bulls and Blue Bulls and has played in all our teams since school. We were happy to accommodate his request for a release as we appreciate his commitment to the Bulls over many years of service.”