Werner Kok backs Juarno Augustus to break into Springbok squad

Augustus joined Ulster from the Stormers at the start of the 2025-26 season and Kok admitted he could not be more impressed with the loose forward.

He has made a good start to the campaign and impressed both on and off the pitch.

“He is a No 8 we can use in the Springbok group. I’m training and playing with him for the first time now. He’s class and an incredible player,” Kok told Rapport.

“He is first of all really big, but he is also incredibly mobile for that body. He’s quick off the mark, his skills are excellent and he reads the game very well."

Augustus was ruled out of action earlier this week with what was described as a "significant ankle injury and his replacement, Bryn Ward, admitted he had bid shoes to fill despite Trokkie's relatively short time in Northern Ireland so far.

"With such a player like Juarno getting injured, it's obviously a big role for me to try and fill," said the 21-year-old," he told the BBC.

"Juarno has been so good since he's come in and I've certainly learnt a lot off him."

Initial indications that Augustus' ankle injury was a significant one and that he was facing a lengthy time out, but those fears seemed to have been allayed somewhat with Uslter suggesting the knock may not be as serious as originally thought.