Stormers Prepare to Contain Ulster’s Powerhouse Juarno “Trokkie” Augustus Ahead of Belfast Clash
The Stormers will face Ulster in the marquee United Rugby Championship fixture at Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium on Friday evening, with kick‑off scheduled for 8:45 p.m. local time. Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani highlighted the need to nullify the explosive ball‑carrying ability of Ulster’s number 8, Juarno “Trokkie” Augustus, whose recent form has made him a focal point of the Irish side’s attack.
Augustus’ Impact on Ulster’s Attack
After a productive spell with the Stormers, Augustus moved abroad and impressed with Northampton Saints in England’s Premiership before joining Ulster ahead of the 2023‑24 season. His physical presence and off‑load skills have added a new dimension to Ulster’s forward play.
In the EPCR Challenge Cup quarter‑final against Exeter Chiefs last week, Augustus was named man of the match after Ulster’s 29‑12 victory, a performance that underscored his growing influence. According to the URC match centre, he carried the ball 12 times for 68 metres and completed three tackles in that encounter.
“Juarno has given Ulster an extra layer to their attack,” Hlungwani said. “He did the same thing for Northampton Saints for a few years and he’s a good ball carrier. The forward ball he provides them really helps them a lot.”
Coach Hlungwani’s Strategy and Experience
Having coached Augustus during his early years with the Stormers, Hlungwani brings personal insight into the player’s tendencies.
“I coached Trokkie a few years ago so he is a player I know very well,” he explained. “He’s a good person, comes from a great family and I’m really proud of what he’s achieved since he left us.”
The Stormers’ game plan focuses on leveraging their own stopping power and carrying ability to contain Augustus.
“For us it’s about making sure we can handle his power. We feel like we have players with good stopping power and good carrying skills that can keep up and hopefully neutralize him,” Hlungwani added. “The desperation is there on our side. We want to continue to be number 1 and give ourselves the best chance of playing in the playoffs at home in Cape Town.”
Adapting to Belfast’s Artificial Surface
Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium features a 4G artificial pitch, a surface that can affect ball behaviour and player recovery. The Stormers have incorporated specific preparation to mitigate these challenges.
“We didn’t spend much time training on it on our last trip to Belfast – and when we did, it took the boys quite a long time to recover,” Hlungwani noted. “That’s one of the reasons we decided to do the majority of our preparation at home this time.”
He described the pitch as “really fast,” noting that the ball tends to wobble and keep rolling, which requires precise carry height and tackle technique.
The Stormers’ previous experiences on 4G surfaces include a victory over Connacht away, a win in Edinburgh, and narrow contests in Ulster and Cardiff. Hlungwani views those outings as learning opportunities, adding that the side’s biggest win on artificial turf came against Stade Français earlier in the season.
Injury Updates: Moerat Returns, Schickerling Ruled Out
Springbok lock Salmaan Moerat is back in full training after recovering from a serious toe injury.
“We had a split session this week and he was stuck. Salmaan did a few scrumming and live mauls so he’s slowly coming back. We’ll see how he goes for the rest of the week,” Hlungwani said.
Moerat’s return provides timely reinforcement, especially with fellow lock JD Schickerling ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee problem.
“Schickerling is out for the season, so it would obviously help us if someone like Salmaan came back,” Hlungwani concluded.
United Rugby Championship Fixtures for the Weekend
- Friday: 8:45 p.m. – Ulster vs. Stormers (Belfast)
- Saturday: 1:45 p.m. – Bulls vs. Zebre
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – Sharks vs. Benetton
- Saturday: 6:30 p.m. – Leinster vs. Lions
Fans can follow live updates and detailed statistics on the official United Rugby Championship website and the Stormers’ and Ulster’s club channels.
