The Stormers step into Belfast on Friday night with the table-topping wind at their backs, though a familiar storm brews in opposition colours. Ulster, buoyed by their march into the EPCR Challenge Cup final, carry the charge of Juarno “Trokkie” Augustus, a player whose presence hits like a runaway scrum and lingers like a bruising tackle.
Augustus has been carving through defences with the force of a battering ram, and his recent display in Ulster’s 29-12 win over Exeter Chiefs served as a thunderclap warning. The former Stormers No 8 has grown into a complete forward, blending raw power with sharp instincts, a combination that once lit up age-group rugby and now fuels Ulster’s ambitions.
Trokkie v Exeter 👊🔥 pic.twitter.com/mmk2mlK9Wu
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 3, 2026
Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani knows exactly what awaits.
“I coached Trokkie a couple of years ago at U19 level,” Hlungwani said. “He’s a player I know really well.
“He’s added an extra layer to their attack, like he did at Northampton for a couple of years.
“He’s a good ball carrier and that go-forward he gives them helps a lot.”
Ulster’s game has found rhythm through Augustus’ surging carries, each touch bending defensive lines like reeds in a gale. For the Stormers, halting that momentum becomes a test of both muscle and resolve.
“For us, it’s about making sure we handle his power,” Hlungwani added. “We feel we’ve got players with good stopping power and carrying ability to match that and hopefully neutralise him.”
Augustus’ journey from Cape Town prodigy to northern hemisphere enforcer reads like a steady climb up rugby’s steepest hill. After 39 appearances for the Stormers, he sharpened his edge at Northampton Saints, playing a key role in their Premiership triumph. Now at Ulster, he continues to evolve, carrying both experience and hunger into this reunion clash.
Beyond the collision lines, Hlungwani reflected on the man behind the muscle.
“He’s a good person, comes from a great family, and he’s recently become a father. He’s married now. He’s grown a lot since the last time I saw him.
“I’m really proud of his achievements since he left us. He’s been doing really, really well. It will be nice to see him when we get to Belfast.”
Ulster, currently eighth on the URC table, approach the fixture with urgency. Their playoff hopes hang in the balance, and Augustus has made clear where their focus lies.
“They are important games for us because we are in the middle of the log and we need to win one or two of the next games to qualify.
“We focus on the Stormers now.”
He also called on the Belfast faithful to raise their voices once more.
“Thank you to the fans for coming out and supporting us.
“We are truly grateful for them and hopefully they can come and support us in the next couple of league games.”
For the Stormers, the challenge resembles a high-ball under pressure, eyes fixed upward, knowing the collision is inevitable. In Belfast, the contest promises to be a clash of momentum and muscle, where every carry, tackle and breakdown could tilt the field.
