Ulster Confirms Signing of Northampton’s Juarno Augustus for 2025

Ulster Rugby has announced the acquisition of Northampton Saints’ number eight, Juarno Augustus, on a three-year contract set to commence next summer. The 26-year-old South African player was instrumental in Northampton’s Premiership title victory last season, having transferred to the club from Western Province in 2021. Augustus, a former South Africa Under-20 international, was recognized as the 2017 World Rugby Junior Player of the Year after concluding that year’s World Rugby Under-20 Championship as the top try-scorer. Augustus, who previously played for the Stormers, expressed his excitement about the move, stating: “I’m very excited to sign for such a historic club in Ulster Rugby. From my conversations, I believe in the project and can see the potential.” He added: “It’s exciting to be a part of that and I look forward to meeting my new coaches and team-mates in Belfast next summer. I have heard about the proud history of the province with South African players, so I will hopefully feel right at home.” Ulster head coach Richie Murphy remarked that securing Augustus was a “statement of where we want to get to.” Murphy further commented: “He’s a top-class player.” He continued: “He’s 26, he’s in his prime, he’s been a very effective ball-carrier in the Premiership over the last couple of seasons so we’re delighted to get him here.” Bryn Cunningham, Ulster’s general manager, stated: “He has shown with Northampton Saints that he is a huge physical presence in the back row, with fantastic ball-carrying and a destructive threat around the breakdown.” Cunningham also noted: “The modern game is so much about having a point of difference, particularly in explosiveness, and Juarno certainly has this.”