Juarno Augustus eager to face SA opposition in URC after making Ulster switch

The 27-year-old has become a vital cog in the Northampton machine since joining the Premiership outfit from the Stormers in 2021.

Since then, Augustus has been at the forefront of the Saints' forward onslaught, making 79 appearances for the club, and he played a starring role in their charge to the Premiership title last season, making nine starts and 17 appearances, including the final against Bath.

It is unlikely that Saints will defend their Premiership title as they are currently languishing in eighth position in the standings - 11 points adrift of the play-off berths - but they are in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup, where they will take on Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on May 3.

Although he admits to being sad to leave the Franklin's Gardens-based club, Augustus said with Ulster facing South African teams the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions regularly in the URC, it will give him more opportunities to visit the country of his birth - a prospect which he is looking forward to.

"When I made the decision, I think that was one of the key parts as well, that I can see more of my family," Augustus told The Northampton Chronicle & Echo.

"I can go to Cape Town more often, so that will be nice, and I can play against some old friends as well."

Despite his impending move to Ulster, Augustus is still fully focused on doing his best for Northampton Saints and admitted that he has given little thought to his departure.

"I haven't thought about it too much yet because I'm just focusing on the next job," he said.

"It's probably when it gets closer to the time, at the end of the season, that it will properly kick in, but I'm not looking at that stage of the season.

"But it's going to be sad for me, leaving the club, because I've been here four years and it's started feeling like home.

"I've grown so close to most of my team-mates - I even call them my brothers because we spend so much time together away from the club as well.

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