The Sharks have headed from Dublin to Durban, where they will be looking to break their URC duck this season – although they drew against the Dragons in the second round – when they welcome Ulster to Kings Park on Saturday afternoon.
The coastal team’s only loss in their last 10 home games in the URC was in March to eventual champions, Leinster, but they will be mindful of the fact that they have won just one of their last four fixtures against Irish provinces.
Ulster, one of only three unbeaten teams so far this season, travel to Durban with maximum points from the two games they have played in the last few weeks, although they won only twice on the road in the United Rugby Championship last season, away against Connacht and the Dragons.
The Sharks will have taken notice that the Ulstermen have lost on their last four visits to South Africa but will also not have forgotten the team from Belfast’s 31-24 victory in Durban in February 2023.
LIVE SCORING | URC: Sharks v Ulster
Sharks v Ulster
Date: Saturday, 18 October
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
SA Time: 16h00
Referee: Ben Whitehouse
TV: SuperSport
Teams
Sharks: 15 Edwill van der Merwe, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Jurenzo Julius,12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Manu Tshituka, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Werner Kok, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 David McCann, 5 Harry Sheridan, 4 Iain Henderson (captain), 3 Scott Wilson, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Sam Crean
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Joe Hopes, 20 Sean Reffell, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Jude Postlethwaite