Ulster’s dynamic back-row forward Juarno Augustus has opened up about regaining his passion for competitive rugby, following a full recovery from ankle surgery he completed over the summer break. The 28-year-old seasoned athlete is gearing up for a meaningful homecoming fixture this weekend, when his current Irish provincial side travels to face the Stormers in a high-stakes United Rugby Championship (URC) tie — the very franchise where he launched his professional rugby career back in 2017.
Augustus spent four formative seasons donning the Cape Town-based Stormers’ jersey between 2017 and 2021, before moving on to a stint with English side Northampton Saints, and eventually linking up with Ulster. Ahead of the Saturday 12:45 GMT kickoff, the number eight shared that he is relishing two distinct joys from the upcoming trip: testing his skills against the teammates who helped shape his early career, and reconnecting with loved ones he has been separated from amid his packed playing schedule. “It’s such a nice feeling to be back home, I’ve had so many people reaching out for match tickets that I’ll probably need a huge stack of them!” he joked during a pre-match press briefing.
“Taking the field against the team I cut my teeth with is always a special experience. My only focus is to go out there and perform to the absolute best of my abilities, no distractions,” Augustus added. He also opened up about the difficult rehabilitation period that followed his summer operation, noting that he faced noticeable hurdles shaking off lingering discomfort during pre-season training. Those struggles are now fully behind him, he confirmed, as he has notched up a consistent run of recent game time that has rebuilt his match fitness and confidence. “That’s the biggest win for me right now: being back in regular training, fully fit, and loving every minute of playing rugby again.”
The upcoming fixture carries extra weight for Ulster, who are still hunting for their first win of the current URC campaign after four consecutive outings without a victory. Their most recent outing ended in a 34-26 defeat at the hands of the Bulls in Pretoria, stretching their winless start to the season. Augustus pushed back against narratives suggesting the team needs sweeping overhauls to turn their fortunes around, noting that only minor adjustments and a bit of good fortune are required to get back on track. “We don’t need to rewrite our entire game plan. It’s the little details, the bounce of the ball going our way now and then, and tightening up small areas of our play that will get us over the line.”
Last season, the two sides delivered a legendary 38-38 thriller that ended in a draw when they met in Belfast, and Augustus is determined to help Richie Murphy’s Ulster side secure a full four points this time around on the Stormers’ home turf. The visiting Stormers head into the clash in far stronger form, with three wins and just one loss from their opening four URC matches this term. “Playing at their home ground means we have to be that much sharper, fully prepared for everything they will throw at us. We have to bring 100% intensity from the very first whistle all the way to the final minute of the 80,” Augustus emphasized. “They have a roster packed with electric, game-changing players who can turn the entire match on its head in a split second, so we have to be switched on at every moment. Richie and the whole coaching team have walked us through every detail of their style of play, and now it’s our job to step out on the pitch and execute that game plan perfectly.”