Juarno Augustus makes candid revelation about ‘sad’ decision to swap Northampton Saints for Ulster
Northampton Saints number eight Juarno Augustus against Leinster.
Although he will be sad to leave Northampton Saints at the end of the season, the lure of playing more matches in South Africa was a key reason behind Juarno Augustus’ decision to join Ulster.
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 Investec Champions Cup, where they will take on Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on May 3.
Looking forward to facing South African clubs
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.
‘It’s started feeling like home’
“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.
“I’ll miss it, but I don’t want to think too far ahead.”
He added: “The main goal is just to make as many memories or create as many memories as I can in the next month, or however long is left.
“I don’t want to count down the days, I don’t want to think about it, so I’ll just live day by day and just create as many memories as I can with the boys.”