Springbok hopeful Juarno Augustus boosts Bok credentials with stellar return from injury

Augustus, who joined fellow Bok loose forwards Duane Vermeulen and Marcell Coetzee in signing for Ulster at the start of the season, has had a tough time with injuries since making the move to the Irish province.

After a strong start and several call-ups to Springbok alignment camps - including a place in the wider 55-man squad for 2025 - setbacks kept him from making his long-awaited international debut.

A back injury midway through 2025, combined with delays during his move from Northampton (including medical clearance issues), ruled him out of the mid-year Tests.

In October 2025, an arm injury sustained during Ulster's win over the Sharks meant he also missed the November Autumn Nations Series, marking his second missed Bok window of the year despite being on standby.

His most recent and longest absence came from a serious ankle ligament injury against Connacht on 27 December 2025 which kept him out for around three months.

He returned to full training earlier this month and made an immediate impact in his return against Edinburgh over the weekend - scoring a try, earning Player of the Match honours, and helping Ulster to a 40-19 comeback victory.

His strong showing has reignited talk of a Springbok breakthrough, but for now, the 28-year-old is simply relieved and grateful to be back on the field.

"I am happy to be back. It means a lot," he said. "It's been a while. I've worked a bit on my fitness.

"I base my game on physicality and carrying and tackling, so that's what I want to try and bring to the team.

"I am just happy that I can give my best and try and help the team."

Augustus revealed that a chat with fellow South African Coetzee convinced him that moving to Ulster was the right choice.

"I spoke to him last year before I came over and he couldn't stop talking about the good things the club has done and what it can achieve in the next couple of years," he said.

"I just want to get the best out of myself for the three years I will be here. I will do whatever I can to try to help the team get some silverware. I have a feeling it is not that far away. The potential in this team is unreal."

Ulster coach Richie Murphy, meanwhile, heaped praise on Augustus for his performance on his return.

"With Juarno coming back, we had no intention of playing him for 80, but that's what happens sometimes and he rolled his sleeves up," he said. "He's a really good ball-carrier."

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