No SA return for Bok prospect Juarno Augustus

Northampton Saints have secured the providers of their influential South African No.8, Juarno Augustus, who has signed a brand new contract with the membership.

It places to mattress any suggestion he’d return to South Africa within the short-term no less than.

Augustus has develop into an integral a part of the primary group on the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, leaving a long-lasting affect since his arrival in the summertime of 2021.

Over the course of two seasons, he has demonstrated his prowess, showing in 45 matches for the Saints and crossing the strive line 13 occasions within the iconic Black, Inexperienced, and Gold jersey.

Standing tall at 6’2″ and weighing in at 116kg, Augustus has constantly impressed together with his highly effective and dynamic ball-carrying means, establishing himself as a formidable power within the again row. All through the 2022/23 season, the 25-year-old outperformed his fellow forwards, main the league in metres gained. Furthermore, he topped the Premiership rankings for meters made after contact.

Augustus peviously represented Currie Cup aspect Western Province and the Stormers in Tremendous Rugby. Touted as future Springbok, he was concerned within the Springbok Inexperienced vs Springbok Gold invitational match in October 2020, having beforehand been named Participant of the Match on the 2017 World Rugby Beneath-20 Championship in Georgia.

“For me it was an extremely straightforward choice to remain at Saints,” mentioned Augustus. “From my very first day on the Membership, I’ve felt welcome and I like the group of boys we’ve right here.”

The retention of the Bok prospect is a big increase for Saints, who have been crushed within the Gallagher Premiership semi-final by Saracens.

“We’re delighted to maintain Juarno on the Membership due to the affect he can have on matches for Northampton Saints,” mentioned Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.

“His ball-carrying means clearly units him aside – statistically he is among the best possible within the league – however he has large want to get higher throughout the board and is enhancing on a regular basis; creating extra turnovers, offloading extra usually each earlier than and after contact, being stronger in defence, and leaping in our lineout as effectively.

“He’s a category act and makes issues occur in video games for us as he will get us going ahead, which is a really worthwhile commodity certainly. There’s masses extra he can provide as effectively, and we glance to get him within the sport as often as potential as a result of, as a rule, the extra he touches the ball the higher we play.

“Juarno’s additionally a extremely good persona to have within the group. He’s received an incredible sense of humour, is fairly relaxed across the camp, and I do know he’s in style amongst the lads, so everyone seems to be thrilled to maintain him right here.”