Juarno Augustus says his move to Ulster “isn’t a gamble” after he reached last season’s Investec Champions Cup final with Northampton Saints.
Augustus, who signed a three-year pre-contract deal with Ulster last November, says he was motivated by the “need for a change and to go somewhere I feel like I belong”.
The 28-year-old South African spent four years with the Saints, helping them to the 2023-24 Premiership title and the decider of Europe’s premier competition last season, which they lost to Bordeaux.
This season, Augustus’ European rugby will be confined to the second-tier Challenge Cup as Ulster’s 14th-place finish in the United Rugby Championship saw them miss out on the blue riband competition for the first time.
“I believe we will be in the Champions Cup again next year and go well,” he told BBC Sport NI.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a gamble, just rugby on a different stage. It doesn’t change anything for me. I just want to give my best to the team and hopefully we can achieve greatness.
“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.
“I’ve watched a bit of Ulster’s rugby and feel like I will belong on this team as there are so many younger guys coming through. There are older guys who come with experience and I think we can achieve so much more in the next couple of years.”
