Stormers coach highlights importance of neutralising Ulster’s Springboks prospect who adds ‘extra layer to their attack’
Ulster number eight Juarno Augustus and Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani (inset).
Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani has identified Ulster number eight Juarno Augustus as an attacking threat which they will have to neutralise when the sides meet at Affidea Stadium on Friday.
With just two rounds of matches left of the regular United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign, the Stormers are setting the pace atop the table with 56 points amassed from 16 matches played.
That is one point more than second-placed Glasgow Warriors while the Lions and Leinster are in joint-third position on 53 points and Ulster occupy eighth spot ahead of the play-offs.
No stranger to the Stormers
Augustus, who is known as Trokkie (Truck), is no stranger to the Stormers as he hails from Cape Town and started his professional career with the team.
The 28-year-old former World Rugby Junior Player of the Year swapped the Stormers for PREM Rugby heavyweights Northampton Saints in 2021 before joining Ulster ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Hlungwani is aware of the threat posed by Augustus, who he knows well from his stint in Cape Town.
“I coached Trokkie a couple of years ago, so he’s a player I know really, really well,” Hlungwani told reporters at a Stormers press conference. “He’s a good person, comes from a great family, and I’m really proud of what he’s achieved since he left us.”
Augustus comes into Friday’s clash against his former team in a rich vein of form as he shone for Ulster in their 29-12 Challenge Cup semi-final victory against Exeter Chiefs last weekend.
The Springboks prospect proved a handful with ball in hand in that encounter and his efforts were rewarded with the official man-of-the-match award after the game.
Stormers wary of Augustus threat
Hlungwani is wary of the threat posed by Augustus and highlighted how important it is for the Stormers to keep him in check.
“He’s given them an extra layer to their attack,” Hlungwani explained.
“He did the same thing for Northampton Saints for a couple of years and is a good ball carrier. That go-forward ball he provides really helps them a lot.”
The Stormers are chasing their first away victory in the URC against Ulster and Hlungwani believes nullifying Augustus’ influence will be crucial if they want to achieve that goal.
“For us, it’s about making sure we handle his power,” he said.
“We feel like we’ve got players with good stopping power and good carrying ability who can match that and hopefully neutralise him.”
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