United Rugby Championship

‘Trokkie’ Augustus following in the footsteps of Springbok stars

Published

2 months ago

17th March 2026

‘Trokkie’ Augustus following in the footsteps of Springbok stars

BKT United Rugby Championship, Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland 13/3/2026 Edinburgh vs Ulster Ulster’s Juarno Augustus is presented with the BKT United Rugby Championship Player of the Match award Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Juarno Augustus is following in the footsteps of a couple of South African greats by plying his trade in the Ulster Rugby back row, but he is rising to the challenge.

Springboks Duane Vermeulen and Marcell Coetzee both performed with distinction for the Irish province and now it’s Augustus’ turn to show his qualities having made the move from Northampton last summer.

The uncapped 28-year-old has had his bide his time, with an ankle injury keeping him out for some three months, but he returned in style against Edinburgh Rugby on the weekend.

Packing down at No 8, he produced a try-scoring Player of the Match display as Ulster triumphed 40-19 at the Hive Stadium to move up to second in the BKT URC table.

Now the ex-Stormers forward – nicknamed ‘Trokkie’ (small truck) for his hard running – will turn his attention to Friday night’s big Belfast derby clash with in-form Connacht Rugby at the Affidea Stadium.

“I am happy to be back. It means a lot,” he said.

“It’s been a while. I’ve worked a bit on my fitness.

“I base my game on physicality and carrying and tackling, so that’s what I want to try and bring to the team.

“I am just happy that I can give my best and try and help the team.”

Augustus has previously revealed how a conversation with countryman Coetzee helped him decide that joining Ulster would be a good move.

“I spoke to him last year before I came over and he couldn’t stop talking about the good things the club has done and what it can achieve in the next couple of years,” he said.

“I just want to get the best out of myself for the three years I will be here. I will do whatever I can to try to help the team get some silverware. I have a feeling it is not that far away. The potential in this team is unreal.”

Ulster trailed 19-14 at half-time against Edinburgh, but ran away with the game after the break, scoring six tries in all, three of them while down to 14 men.

“We needed the win. We haven’t won away from home in quite a bit, so we had to set things right,” said Augustus.

“We played against the wind in the first half and struggled a bit. We made some errors and kept them in the game.

“The message at half time was just to stay consistent and do everything with intent – tackle with intent, run with intent – and then just get the ball to our backs because they are incredible.

“We knew if we just stuck to our roles and did what we do best, we could win the game and we did that. The second half was good.

“It’s a good win for us, so hopefully we can keep building on that and take it forward.”

Ulster coach Richie Murphy was full of praise for the shift Augustus put in on his return to the team.

“With Juarno coming back, we had no intention of playing him for 80, but that’s what happens sometimes and he rolled his sleeves up,” he said.

“He’s a really good ball carrier.”

Reflecting on the bonus point win in Edinburgh, Murphy said: “We weren’t perfect, but I thought we showed great character and some of the tries we scored in the second half were excellent. The lads came out and delivered.

“It’s a really tough place to go, so we were delighted to come away with five points. We are up to second in the league as well, so it’s brilliant.”

Skipper Rob Herring added: “I was very proud of the whole squad. We started pretty slow, but we brought it back together, particularly in the second half when I thought we were brilliant. So I’m incredibly happy.

“Getting the away win was a massive target for us. We are second in the table now with a big block of rugby coming up and we’ll go into it with a bit of confidence.”

With six league matches still to play, Ulster have already surpassed their tally of points from last season, when they finished 14th in the table.

Giving his thoughts on the turnaround, head coach Murphy said: “We have got a little bit more clarity and belief in what we are doing and it shows on the pitch.”

Up Next

Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl heading home to Pretoria with pride

Don't Miss

BKT United Rugby Championship Round 12 preview

Click to comment

United Rugby Championship

Bulls 45–19 Benetton – URC Round 18

Published

5 days ago

17th May 2026

rugbyisthegame

BKT United Rugby Championship, Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa 5/10/2024 Vodacom Bulls vs Ulster A view of the Bulls changing room ahead of the game Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Christiaan Kotze

The Bulls powered past Benetton with seven tries in a commanding 45–19 bonus-point win at Loftus Versfeld.

Key moments

3 mins – TRY BULLS: Canan Moodie breaks through and Handre Pollard sets up Sergeal Petersen for the opening try. Pollard converts. (Bulls 7–0 Benetton)

12 mins – TRY BULLS: Spellbinding play from Pollard opens up space and Willie le Roux takes full advantage. Pollard converts. (Bulls 14–0 Benetton)

18 mins – TRY BENETTON: Matt Gallagher sets up a wonderful passing move finished off by Louis Lynagh. Unconverted. (Bulls 14–5 Benetton)

28 mins – TRY BULLS: The Bulls maul proves unstoppable as Johan Grobbelaar powers over. Pollard misses the conversion. (Bulls 19–5 Benetton)

34 mins – YELLOW CARD BENETTON: Alessandro Garbisi is shown yellow.

37 mins – TRY BULLS: The pick and go results in a try for Cobus Wiese. Pollard converts to secure the bonus point. (Bulls 26–5 Benetton)

39 mins – TRY BENETTON: Rhyno Smith wriggles through a gap to score. Smith converts his own try. (Bulls 26–12 Benetton)

Half-time: Bulls 26–12 Benetton. The hosts in command with the bonus point already secured.

41 mins – TRY BENETTON: Matt Gallagher creates again and Louis Lynagh finishes for his second. Smith converts. (Bulls 26–19 Benetton)

56 mins – TRY BULLS: Stedman Gans plays a key part as Petersen scores a stunning individual try for his second. Pollard converts. (Bulls 33–19 Benetton)

62 mins – TRY BULLS: Mpilo Gumede breaks through the defensive line to touch down. Pollard converts. (Bulls 40–19 Benetton)

74 mins – TRY BULLS: Paul de Wet sets it up and Ruan Nortje scores from close range. Pollard’s conversion drifts wide. (Bulls 45–19 Benetton)

Full-time: Bulls 45–19 Benetton

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Devon Williams, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier; 1 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Ruan Nortje, 5 Cobus Wiese, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Elrigh Louw, 8 Cameron Hanekom
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Stedman Gans, 23 Stravino Jacobs

Benetton: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Mattia Midena, 11 Rhyno Smith, 10 Alessandro Garbisi, 9 Federico Zanandrea; 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Bautista Bernasconi, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 4 Federico Ruzza, 5 Lorenzo Cannone, 6 Manuel Zuliani, 7 Alessandro Izekor, 8 Toa Halafihi
Replacements: 16 Nicholas Gasperini, 17 Ivan Nemer, 18 Marcos Gallorini, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Cristiano Tizzano, 21 Jadin Kingi, 22 Leonardo Marin, 23 Giulio Marini

Match details

Bulls 45 (Tries: Petersen 2, le Roux, Grobbelaar, Wiese, Gumede, Nortje; Cons: Pollard 5/7)
Benetton 19 (Tries: Lynagh 2, Smith; Cons: Smith 2/3)
Half-time: 26–12

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)

United Rugby Championship

Sharks 54–19 Zebre – URC Round 18

Published

5 days ago

17th May 2026

rugbyisthegame

BKT United Rugby Championship, Dexcom Stadium, Galway 28/9/2024 Connacht vs Hollywoodbets Sharks A view of Vodacom URC branding Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

The Sharks ran in eight tries to thrash Zebre 54–19 in a dominant bonus-point victory at Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

Key moments

14 mins – TRY SHARKS: A series of passes ends with Jaco Williams touching down for the opening score. Vusi Moyo hooks the conversion wide. (Sharks 5–0 Zebre)

20 mins – TRY ZEBRE: Mirko Belloni breaks through and Malik Faissal finishes a wonderful passing move. Giovanni Montemauri converts. (Sharks 5–7 Zebre)

25 mins – TRY SHARKS: Siya Kolisi breaches the defence and powers over from close range. Moyo converts. (Sharks 12–7 Zebre)

28 mins – TRY SHARKS: Zekhethelo Siyaya shows brilliant skill to go over. Moyo converts. (Sharks 19–7 Zebre)

39 mins – YELLOW CARD ZEBRE: Alessandro Fusco is shown yellow.

40 mins – TRY SHARKS: The Sharks maul pushes over the tryline as Kolisi grabs his second. Moyo converts. (Sharks 26–7 Zebre)

Half-time: Sharks 26–7 Zebre. The hosts firmly in control after a commanding first-half display.

46 mins – TRY SHARKS: Spellbinding play from Bradley Davids sets up Vusi Moyo to dot the ball down from close range. Moyo adds his own conversion. (Sharks 33–7 Zebre)

53 mins – TRY SHARKS: Nothing was going to stop Manu Tshituka as he records the try. Moyo converts. (Sharks 40–7 Zebre)

62 mins – TRY ZEBRE: A stunning solo try from Simone Gesi. Montemauri converts. (Sharks 40–14 Zebre)

64 mins – TRY SHARKS: Andre Esterhuizen breaks through and sets up Le Roux Malan. Jean Smith converts from the bench. (Sharks 47–14 Zebre)

67 mins – TRY SHARKS: Esterhuizen is involved again as Ross Braude completes the rout. Smith converts. (Sharks 54–14 Zebre)

76 mins – TRY ZEBRE: Great forward play allows Giovanni Quattrini to score a consolation. Montemauri hits the upright with the conversion. (Sharks 54–19 Zebre)

Full-time: Sharks 54–19 Zebre

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Bradley Davids, 9 Nick Hatton; 1 Ox Nche, 2 Eduan Swart, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Emile van Heerden, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 6 Jaco Williams, 7 Jurenzo Julius, 8 Siya Kolisi
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Thomas Dyer, 20 Matt Romao, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Le Roux Malan

Zebre: 15 Mirko Belloni, 14 Simone Gesi, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Enrico Lucchin, 11 Jacopo Trulla, 10 Giovanni Montemauri, 9 Alessandro Fusco; 1 Damiano Mazza, 2 Alessandro Ortombina, 3 Ion Neculai, 4 Andrea Zambonin, 5 Leonard Krumov, 6 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 7 Samuele Locatelli, 8 Martin Roger
Replacements: 16 Giampietro Ribaldi, 17 Muhamed Hasa, 18 Matteo Nocera, 19 Migael Prinsloo, 20 Iacopo Bianchi, 21 Luca Franceschetto, 22 David Odiase, 23 Malik Faissal

Match details

Sharks 54 (Tries: Williams, Kolisi 2, Siyaya, Moyo, Tshituka, Malan, Braude; Cons: Moyo 5/6, Smith 2/2)
Zebre 19 (Tries: Faissal, Gesi, Quattrini; Cons: Montemauri 2/3)
Half-time: 26–7

Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU)

United Rugby Championship

Scarlets 35–35 Dragons – URC Round 18

Published

5 days ago

17th May 2026

rugbyisthegame

BKT United Rugby Championship, Stadio Monigo, Treviso, Italy 21/9/2024 Benetton Rugby vs Scarlets A view of the Scarlets jersey Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Matteo Ciambelli

A thrilling Welsh derby ended all square as the Scarlets fought back from 14–25 down to draw 35–35 with the Dragons at Parc y Scarlets.

Key moments

1 min – TRY SCARLETS: Taine Plumtree breaks through the defensive line for a stunning solo try on the opening play. Joe Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 7–0 Dragons)

3 mins – TRY DRAGONS: Thomas Young touches down from close range as the Dragons hit back immediately. Angus O’Brien converts. (Scarlets 7–7 Dragons)

8 mins – PENALTY DRAGONS: O’Brien slots the penalty to edge the visitors ahead. (Scarlets 7–10 Dragons)

11 mins – TRY DRAGONS: Brodie Coghlan takes advantage of a gap in the defence and scores from close range. O’Brien converts. (Scarlets 7–17 Dragons)

14 mins – TRY SCARLETS: Plumtree grabs his second from close range. Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 14–17 Dragons)

35 mins – TRY DRAGONS: Niall Armstrong breaks through and Aneurin Owen sets up Aaron Wainwright to finish. O’Brien misses the conversion. (Scarlets 14–22 Dragons)

Half-time: Scarlets 14–22 Dragons. The visitors take an eight-point lead into the break after a pulsating first half.

42 mins – PENALTY DRAGONS: O’Brien extends the lead from the tee. (Scarlets 14–25 Dragons)

50 mins – TRY SCARLETS: Taine Plumtree sets it up and Josh MacLeod charges over. Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 21–25 Dragons)

56 mins – YELLOW CARD SCARLETS: Gareth Davies is shown yellow.

56 mins – PENALTY TRY DRAGONS: The referee awards a penalty try. Automatic conversion. (Scarlets 21–32 Dragons)

58 mins – TRY SCARLETS: Plumtree makes a superb break and Jarrod Taylor finishes it off. Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 28–32 Dragons)

62 mins – YELLOW CARD SCARLETS: Carwyn Leggatt-Jones is sent to the sin bin.

63 mins – PENALTY DRAGONS: O’Brien punishes the ill-discipline. (Scarlets 28–35 Dragons)

74 mins – TRY SCARLETS: Leggatt-Jones plays a key part and Macs Page takes full advantage to level the scores. Hawkins converts. (Scarlets 35–35 Dragons)

83 mins – PENALTY SCARLETS: Hawkins goes for the win but his penalty drops short of the posts.

Full-time: Scarlets 35–35 Dragons

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Scarlets: 15 Ioan Jones, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Dane Blacker; 1 Josh Morse, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Jac Price, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh MacLeod, 8 Sione Kalamafoni
Replacements: 16 Harry Thomas, 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jac Davies, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, 23 Jarrod Taylor

Dragons: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Joe Westwood, 12 Aneurin Owen, 11 Jared Rosser, 10 Will Reed, 9 Niall Armstrong; 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Brodie Coghlan, 3 Dillon Lewis, 4 Joe Davies, 5 Ben Carter, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Thomas Young, 8 Ryan Woodman
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Chris Coleman, 19 Harrison Keddie, 20 Dan Sheridan, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steff Hughes, 23 Matt Sheridan

Match details

Scarlets 35 (Tries: Plumtree 2, MacLeod, Taylor, Page; Cons: Hawkins 5/5; Pens: Hawkins 0/2)
Dragons 35 (Tries: Young, Coghlan, Wainwright, pen try; Cons: O’Brien 2/3; Pens: O’Brien 3/3)
Half-time: 14–22

Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)