Why SA bruiser's move to Belfast is a 'big statement'

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REACTION: Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says his province made a big statement of intent by signing South African loose forward Juarno Augustus.

The 26-year-old will join the Irish side next year from Northampton Saints.

Augustus, affectionately known as 'Trokkie', has built up a reputation as a strong ball-carrying threat during his time in England, and before that at the Stormers and Western Province.

He also represented the Junior Boks in 2017 and was crowned World Rugby Junior Player of the Year after that season.

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"It's a statement of where we want to get to," said Murphy.

"He's a top-class player.

"He's 26 years old and he's in his prime.

"Juarno has been a very effective ball carrier in the Premiership the last few seasons, so we're really delighted to get him here."

Earlier this week, Ulster's General Manager Bryn Cunningham added: "He has shown with Northampton Saints that he is a huge physical presence in the back row, with fantastic ball-carrying and a destructive threat around the breakdown.

"The modern game is so much about having a point of difference, particularly in explosiveness, and Juarno certainly has this.

"Having already been a key part of a premiership-winning team with his peak years just in front of him, he has a rare combination of experience and youth.

"At the core of our recruitment strategy over the coming years will be the continual development of our homegrown players supplemented with targeted acquisitions like Juarno, so we're delighted that he has decided to be part of our plans and are really excited about the impact he will have."

Additional source: Irish Times