JUARNO Augustus will have to wait a little bit longer to wear the Green and Gold of the Springboks, after coach Rassie Erasmus revealed yesterday that he is not yet ready to go.
Former Stormer and Tygerberg High yster Augustus, 27, was named as one of nine uncapped players in the Springbok squad ahead of the 2025 international season.
The Springboks kick off against the Barbarians innie Kaap at the end of the month, but Erasmus says Trokkie, who must be cleared by Northampton Saints to join Irish team Ulster, has failed his exit medical. The Springboks can not interfere with that and have to wait for the situation to clear up first.
The situation with Augustus and injured Bulls No.8 Cameron Hanekom opened the door for Erasmus to recall Stormer Evan Roos.
Of leaving Roos out of his initial squad, Erasmus says: “I saw the things people wrote, it’s definitely not a personal issue [with him].
“Sometimes there is a difference if opinion in who plays well and who doesn’t.
“Juarno hasn’t passed exit medical, Cameron is out and that’s why Evan was drafted in.
“Evan wasn’t playing as well as the other guys… and then we’ve also got guys like Kwagga [Smith], Cameron, Juarno and Siya [Kolisi] who can play at eight. Sometimes the guy is good enough, but at that stage there are just two-three other guys that we think might fit in to what we are trying to do…”
Other unavailable players are Gerhard Steenekamp, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Pieter-Steph du Toit, BJ Dixon, Lukhanyo Am who have long-term injuries and Jasper Wiese, Grant Williams, Makazole Mapimpi, ; Tomas du Toit who are a few weeks away from full fitness and also RG Snyman, Handre Pollard and the Bulls players who are still on club duty.
Damian Willemse is also unavailable for the Barbarians match through suspension.