Juarno Augustus

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 28: Juarno Augustus of Western Province recieves a pass during the Carling Currie Cup match between DHL Western Province and Vodacom Blue Bulls at DHL Newlands on November 28, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images)

Siya Kolisi followed out the WP exit by another loosie for six-figure salary?

The floodgates may well have been opened at Western Province following the exit of captain Siya Kolisi.

Juarno Augustus

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 28: Juarno Augustus of Western Province recieves a pass during the Carling Currie Cup match between DHL Western Province and Vodacom Blue Bulls at DHL Newlands on November 28, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images)

The floodgates may well have been opened at WP following the exit of captain Siya Kolisi.

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Following on from captain Siya Kolisi jumping ship to the Sharks, comes the news that another of the union’s loose forwards is ready to pack his bags.

Depending on who you believe, 23-year-old Juarno Augustus may – or may not – already have signed for English club Northampton Saints.

Respected UK website The Rugby Paper reported that Augustus has agreed to a two-year deal with the Franklin’s Gardens side with an option of a third year.

Augustus, who was named Player of the Tournament at the U20 World Cup three years ago, would be foolish to turn down such an offer.

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With South Africa’s policy of selecting overseas-based players for the Springboks, it’s a win-win situation for every player to head abroad and earn pounds/euros/yen while still retaining the ability to represent your country.

Better still, if you haven’t already played for your country, as a back-up plan, there’s no time like the present to start your residency in another country to qualify to play for them!

And that’s the case burly Tygerberg High-educated, 1.87m-tall, 116kg Juarno “Trokkie” Augustus finds himself in.

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The Springboks have no shortage of talent in the loose trio department so giving himself the option of playing for England as well is a no brainer.

For the reported £180 000-a-year (R3.7 million) he’s been offered, I’ll help pack your bags, Juarno!

There is, however, some confusion over whether it was legal for Augustus and Saints to engage in negotiations while still under contract at WP Rugby.

With Augustus’ contract ending in October, WP are powerless in effect to stand in his way.

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It’s likely Northampton will only require his services around that time anyway when the 2021/22 season kicks into action.

In addition to Siya Kolisi’s departure and what looks like the exit of Juarno Augustus, WP lost another loose forward in Jaco Coetzee in early February when he was granted an early release to join English club Bath.

WP fans are in for a bumpy ride over the next few months as several of the union’s Springboks come off contract and, due to the uncertainly at the Cape franchise, start to cast their eyes elsewhere.

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