Northampton Saints thumper Juarno Augustus has revealed that the opportunity to return to South Africa was a major reason behind his decision to sign with Ulster.
The former Junior Boks, WP and Stormers No 8 will leave Saints at the end of the season after a successful four-year stint in England.
The 27-year-old has earned 79 caps for the club, who he helped win the Premiership title last season.
In an interview with The Northampton Chronicle & Echo, Augustus said playing for a Vodacom URC club like Ulster would enable him to travel more to South Africa.
“When I made the decision, I think that was one of the key parts as well, that I can see more of my family. I can go to Cape Town more often, so that will be nice, and I can play against some old friends as well.”
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While Northampton are eighth on the Premiership log and unlikely to reach the semi-finals, they have qualified for the last four of the Investec Champions Cup. Augustus said he was still focusing on “the next job” with Saints and hadn’t thought too much about his Ireland move.
“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. 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 teammates – 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.”
Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
