Augustus, who has been a late developer in the sport, was the man of the tournament in the recent Junior World Championship playing at No 8. Like Willemse, he is only 19, and his selection after making just one appearance at senior provincial level in a competition format when he was part of the match day squad for Western Province in last week’s SuperSport Challenge quarterfinal is a good advertisement for the great future that the Stormers are building towards.
More than that, when it comes to the immediate priority of doing well in this year’s competition, the good news is that Augustus was registered by the Stormers when they submitted their extended squad list to Sanzaar before the season started. That means that, like Willemse, he will be available in the play-offs should he come through Saturday’s baptism with flying colours.
Augustus comes into the side at blindside flank rather than his regular position of No 8 as he is replacing Kobus van Dyk. The Maties star injured a knee in training this week and another loose forward, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, is also unavailable due to an injury sustained against the Cheetahs but which only flared up in the days after the game. Both players are expected to be available for the next game against the Bulls, but this is Augustus's chance to stake a claim.
With skipper Siya Kolisi returning to the side in the openside flank position where he played so well for the Boks against France, and with Nizaam Carr in good form as the link at No 8, Fleck reckons that the hard driving and combativeness of Augustus, who is much in the Duane Vermeulen mould, will give the back row good balance.
“I don’t think it is a big call to play Juarno at all,” said Fleck.
