Ulster move 'no gamble', says new recruit Augustus

Augustus played a key role in Northampton's run to last season's Champions Cup final

Juarno Augustus says his move to Ulster "isn't a gamble" after he reached last season's Investec Champions Cup final with Northampton Saints.

Augustus, who signed a three-year pre-contract deal with Ulster last November, says he was motivated by the "need for a change and to go somewhere I feel like I belong".

The 28-year-old South African spent four years with the Saints, helping them to the 2023-24 Premiership title and the decider of Europe's premier competition last season, which they lost to Bordeaux.

This season, Augustus' European rugby will be confined to the second-tier Challenge Cup as Ulster's 14th-place finish in the United Rugby Championship saw them miss out on the blue riband competition for the first time.

"I believe we will be in the Champions Cup again next year and go well," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I wouldn't say it's a gamble, just rugby on a different stage. It doesn't change anything for me. I just want to give my best to the team and hopefully we can achieve greatness.

"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.

"I've watched a bit of Ulster's rugby and feel like I will belong on this team as there are so many younger guys coming through. There are older guys who come with experience and I think we can achieve so much more in the next couple of years."

'Club form can aid my Springbok dream'

Augustus will link up with fellow South African Werner Kok at the Affidea Stadium

Nicknamed 'Trokkie' (small truck) for his hard-running style as a loose forward, Augustus is the latest South African to arrive at Ulster and will join compatriot Werner Kok this season.

In 2017, he made five appearances for his nation's U20s and despite being called into an initial 54-man squad for the summer Tests, is yet to win his first cap for the Springboks.

Doing so would be a "dream", but performing in the URC, where he will come up against South African clubs, is his immediate priority while a conversation with former Ulster player and Springbok Marcell Coetzee helped him decide the Affidea Stadium would represent a good move.

"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. I'm happy to give the little bits that I have to try achieve that," he said.

"I just want to get the best out of myself for the three years I will be here. If I can play well for the club, my country will give me a call-up I think.

"The potential in this team is unreal. Last year, we struggled a little bit. There were a lot of injuries and games that went the other way that could have gone our way.

"Hopefully we can also get a bit of luck this season without getting loads of injuries and we can show the world what we are capable of."