Juarno Augustus 'to prove that I still can do it in the biggest game' as Ulster tackle next South Africa challenge
Playing in his homeland against South African teams provides Juarno Augustus extra incentive to perform.
The No8 was one of Ulster’s stand-out players in the defeat against the Bulls last Saturday and fired up to deliver a first URC win of the season against the Stormers in Cape Town this Saturday.
“It's always good playing against South African teams, especially coming over here...like last week, the altitude, the heat, big boys,” he said. “It's always tough but, for me, playing in South Africa, it's always a challenge...I love it, I want to prove that I still can do it in the biggest game, they have their strengths but I think we are good enough to counter.
“Eli (Snyman) played in South Africa for a couple of years before he went over to England, so I think he knows some of the boys that we're playing against...we'll try and do our best on the field and just try and motivate everyone.
“It's always nice for any player to play against the team you grew up playing for, I'm just going to try and play my game to the best of my ability...we played them last year, we drew against them, it wasn't the result we wanted.
“It's at their home ground now, so we need to be sharper, we need to be ready for what they're going to bring, from minute one until minute 80 we need to give our best, that's what we're going after.
Augustus feels fellow backrower James McKillop has a big future in the game, with the 21-year-old Queen’s captain having featured in four of Ulster’s five games this season, making two starts.
“I'm really impressed with how he's been playing...he doesn't hold back for anyone or anything that's in front of him,” he said. “He can tackle, carry, jackal, even in the lineouts...I'm really impressed with him, I think he has a bright future, I don't think I have to tell him anything, because he's young but he walks around as a leader.”
After undergoing ankle surgery Augustus feels he is rediscovering his best form.
“It was kind of tricky because they had to clear out my ankle, I think I just had proper bone bruising that didn't go away that quickly as we expected it to but it's all good now,” he said. “That's the main thing...just to keep training and being fit again...I've had a run of games, so enjoying my rugby again, there's always room to improve, so we'll see.”