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Saturday 26 Apr 2025
Kingspan Stadium, TBC
Tries
Nathan Doak 29'
Jude Postlethwaite 9'
Jack Murphy 6'
Jurenzo Julius 69'
Emmanuel Tshituka 60'
Makazole Mapimpi 33'
Conversions
Jack Murphy 30'; 9'
Jordan Hendrikse 70'; 61';
Penalties
Jordan Hendrikse 77'
Show more
Timeline
End of Second Half
80'
Jordan Hendrikse
Penalty
77'
Bradley Davids
Out: Jaden Hendrikse
74'
Matthew Dalton
Out: Cormac Izuchukwu
74'
Bryan O'Connor
Out: Scott Wilson
74'
David McCann
Out: James McNabney
70'
Tom Stewart
Out: Rob Herring
70'
Kieran Treadwell
Out: Alan O'Connor
70'
Jordan Hendrikse
Conversion
70'
Jurenzo Julius
Try
69'
Phepsi Buthelezi
Out: James Venter
61'
Fez Mbatha
Out: Bongi Mbonambi
61'
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Out: Ox Nche
61'
Callum Reid
Out: Andrew Warwick
61'
Jordan Hendrikse
Conversion
61'
Emmanuel Tshituka
Try
60'
Jurenzo Julies
Out: Lukhanyo Am
52'
Hanro Jacobs
Out: Vincent Koch
40'
Start of Second Half
40'
End of First Half
40'
Makazole Mapimpi
Try
33'
Jacob Stockdale
Yellow Card
33'
Jack Murphy
Conversion
30'
Nathan Doak
Try
29'
Jack Murphy
Conversion
9'
Jude Postlethwaite
Try
9'
Jack Murphy
Try
6'
Start of First Half
0'
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Top Stats
Tries
3
3
Conversions
2
2
Penalties
0
1
See Full Stats
Top Performers
Ball Carries
AF
A. Fassi
Ball Carries: 19
Tackles
NT
N. Timoney
Tackles: 20
Points
JM
J. Murphy
Points: 9
Insights
United Rugby Championship
Points per match
2425
Tries per match
33
Penalties Conceded per match
1110
Match Information
Saturday 26 Apr 2025
Kingspan Stadium, TBC
Tries
Nathan Doak 29'
Jude Postlethwaite 9'
Jack Murphy 6'
Jurenzo Julius 69'
Emmanuel Tshituka 60'
Makazole Mapimpi 33'
Conversions
Jack Murphy 30'; 9'
Jordan Hendrikse 70'; 61';
Penalties
Jordan Hendrikse 77'
Show more
Timeline
End of Second Half
80'
Jordan Hendrikse
Penalty
77'
Bradley Davids
Out: Jaden Hendrikse
74'
Matthew Dalton
Out: Cormac Izuchukwu
74'
Bryan O'Connor
Out: Scott Wilson
74'
David McCann
Out: James McNabney
70'
Tom Stewart
Out: Rob Herring
70'
Kieran Treadwell
Out: Alan O'Connor
70'
Jordan Hendrikse
Conversion
70'
Jurenzo Julius
Try
69'
Phepsi Buthelezi
Out: James Venter
61'
Fez Mbatha
Out: Bongi Mbonambi
61'
Ntuthuko Mchunu
Out: Ox Nche
61'
Callum Reid
Out: Andrew Warwick
61'
Jordan Hendrikse
Conversion
61'
Emmanuel Tshituka
Try
60'
Jurenzo Julies
Out: Lukhanyo Am
52'
Hanro Jacobs
Out: Vincent Koch
40'
Start of Second Half
40'
End of First Half
40'
Makazole Mapimpi
Try
33'
Jacob Stockdale
Yellow Card
33'
Jack Murphy
Conversion
30'
Nathan Doak
Try
29'
Jack Murphy
Conversion
9'
Jude Postlethwaite
Try
9'
Jack Murphy
Try
6'
Start of First Half
0'
Top Stats
Conversions
Conversions
Penalties
Penalties
Drop Goals
Drop Goals
Scrums
Scrums
Lineouts
Lineouts
Possession
Possession
Territory
Territory
Handling Errors
9
8
Passes
130
219
Offload
9
11
Metres Gained
427
496
Clean Breaks
8
9
Kicks From Hand
37
33
Tackles
171
115
Missed Tackles
30
26
Mauls
3
3
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
0
0
Penalties Conceded
6
3
Head to Head
Previous 3 meetings
2
1
Won
Won
Head to Head
Previous 3 meetings
2
1
Won
Won
Form Guide
Last 5 matches
UlsterL
L
W
W
W
SharksW
L
L
W
W
Form Guide
Last 5 matches
Line Up
1
AW
Andrew Warwick
2
RH
Rob Herring
3
SW
Scott Wilson
4
AO
Alan O'Connor
5
CI
Cormac Izuchukwu
6
MR
Matty Rea
7
NT
Nick Timoney
8
JM
James McNabney
9
ND
Nathan Doak
10
JM
Jack Murphy
11
ZW
Zac Ward
12
SM
Stuart McCloskey
13
JP
Jude Postlethwaite
14
WK
Werner Kok
15
JS
Jacob Stockdale
1
ON
Ox Nche
2
BM
Bongi Mbonambi
3
VK
Vincent Koch
4
VT
Vincent Tshituka
5
JJ
Jason Jenkins
6
James Venter
7
ET
Emmanuel Tshituka
8
SK
Siya Kolisi
9
JH
Jaden Hendrikse
10
JH
Jordan Hendrikse
11
MM
Makazole Mapimpi
12
AE
Andre Esterhuizen
13
LA
Lukhanyo Am
14
EH
Ethan Hooker
15
AF
Aphelele Fassi
Substitutes
16
TS
Tom Stewart
17
CR
Callum Reid
18
BO
Bryan O'Connor
19
MD
Matthew Dalton
20
KT
Kieran Treadwell
21
DS
Dave Shanahan
22
AM
Aidan Morgan
23
DM
David McCann
16
FM
Fez Mbatha
17
NM
Ntuthuko Mchunu
18
HJ
Hanro Jacobs
19
DS
Deon Slabbert
20
PB
Phepsi Buthelezi
21
BD
Bradley Davids
22
SM
Siya Masuku
23
JJ
Jurenzo Julies
Match Videos
Commentary
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80’
Commentary
That is all from our live coverage for this enthralling encounter. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Have a good night.
80’
Full Time
FULL-TIME: ULSTER 19-22 SHARKS. The Springbok-laden South African team leave it late to steal victory against an impressive Ulster outfit. Smash and grab by the Sharks.
80’
Commentary
And launch they do. Ulster go wide through Stockdale, but there's no space to work with and they are bundled into touch. The Sharks get the ball at the lineout and then with the clock in the red, they kick it into touch again to win the game.
79’
Commentary
As it stands, the Sharks will win this game and Ulster will come away with a losing bonus-point. But there's still time for Ulster to launch one last-ditch effort for the win.
78’
Commentary
PENALTY, SHARKS, JORDAN HENDRIKSE. 19-22. The Sharks find themselves in the lead for the very first time in the game.
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77’
Commentary
And the Sharks get a penalty right in front of the poles. With three minutes to go before the full-time whistle, they'll take the three points on offer to hit the front.
76’
Commentary
This is danger for Ulster. The Sharks are moving forward with real intent now. They have a great chance to steal a win here.
75’
Commentary
Ulster fullback Jacob Stockdale has been a cut above the rest today.
73’
Commentary
Ulster finally manage to string together a few phases, but defending for their lives on the other end of the field.
72’
Commentary
And suddenly, we have a game on our hands, ladies and gentlemen. The scores are locked at 19-19.
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71’
Commentary
CONVERSION, SHARKS, HENDRIKSE. 19-19.
70’
Commentary
TRY, SHARKS, JURIES. 19-17. Ethan Hooker and Juries combine well to get the Sharks' third try of the night.
68’
Commentary
The clock it winding down and the Sharks are racing against time here.
67’
Commentary
This game is messy and scrappy at the moment.
66’
Commentary
And the penalty go the way of the Sharks. They are is morale-boosting win for the Sharks front row.
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65’
Commentary
The Sharks are about to scrum, but their are in an unfavourable position the field. They need to work their way up-field.
64’
Commentary
The Sharks spill the ball way too easily for a team of this calibre.
63’
Commentary
Confusion reigns as two Sharks players lay claim to the restart and neither gets it right. Scrum to Ulster.
62’
Commentary
CONVERISON, SHARKS, HENDRIKSE. 19-12.
61’
Commentary
TRY, SHARKS, TSHITUKA. 19-10. A good drive sees the utility forward burrow over the line.
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59’
Commentary
And the hits just keep coming from Ulster. They are frustrating the Sharks with this immense defensive effort.
58’
Commentary
Ulster saved by the Sharks' error-strewn ways again, as the latter lose control 5m from the tryline and concede scrum. From the base, the Ulster No 8 picks and go's, and then Murthy leathers a huge clearing kick.
57’
Commentary
The Sharks put it into touch as they fancy a second try over a three-pointer.
56’
Commentary
A Sharks grubber is taken by Stockdale, but he is swamped by the chasing Sharks players for holding on. And the penalty go to the visitors.
55’
Commentary
Doak's exit kicks travel further from the danger zone with every effort. The Sharks secure lineout possession and try to drive forward.
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53’
Commentary
Ulster's support play has been exceptional.
52’
Commentary
This is a fascinating battle between the Sharks' attack and Ulster's sturdy defence. So far, the latter has the upper-hand in the tussle.
51’
Commentary
The Shark are still driving forward and Ulster are desperate to keep them out. And they do. They force a knock on, to the delight of the home crowd.
50’
Commentary
The Sharks are coming alive now.
49’
Commentary
Ulster steal the ball at the breakdown once again. Oh, John Mitchell will not be pleased with his team's ball protection (or lack thereof), on the ground.
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48’
Commentary
The Sharks are looking increasingly ominous, but Ulster's defence is not taking a backward step.
47’
Commentary
This lineout to the Sharks has to go to hand. It's paramount that the visitors get their set-piece right in the second half.
46’
Commentary
The Sharks can't afford to give easy metres to Ulster.
45’
Commentary
The scales have tipped to a more balanced and equal share of possession here and that in itself is a huge win for the Sharks because they were starved of the ball in the first half.
44’
Commentary
To say the Sharks' work at the breakdown has been sloppy, would be an understatement.
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43’
Commentary
Murphy gives the ball plenty of air again, but Fassi is back there to field the kick again.
42’
Commentary
Ulster win a free-kick at the lineout. Murphy kicks it high into the sky, but Fassi catches the ball and calls for a mark.
41’
Commentary
This time the Sharks manage to secure possession, form a ruck and clear the ball away without any pressure.
41’
Commentary
KICK OFF: Murphy gets the second half underway.
40’
Commentary
HALF-TIME: ULSTER 19-5 SHARKS. The hosts take deserved 14-point lead into the break after running in three tries against the Sharks' fragile defence.
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40’
Commentary
Scratch that. The try has been disallowed as the final pass traveled forward out of the hands. No try. Scrum to Ulster.
40’
Commentary
TRY, ULSTER, MAPIMPI. 10-19. With Ulster down a man, the Sharks take full advantage to score a second try in quick succession.
38’
Commentary
The Sharks launch a rare attack via Ethan Hooker down the touchline, but he is isolated and Stuart McCloskey makes a fantastic turnover.
37’
Commentary
We're under three minutes away from half-time and the Sharks are trail Ulster by 19-5.
36’
Commentary
Vincent Koch is down again, receiving treatment for the same left arm injury that had hindered him earlier in the game.
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35’
Commentary
This is great stuff here by Ulster. They are bashing their way through tackles to get way beyond the gain-line.
34’
Commentary
The conversion attempt is miss by Jordan Hendrikse.
33’
Commentary
TRY, SHARKS, MAPIMPI. 19-5. The winger gets an easy run-in after taking a floated pass from Jaden Hendrikse. This all came after Jason Jenkins broke the line in centre-field.
30’
Commentary
CONVERSION, ULSTER, MURPHY. 19-0.
29’
Commentary
TRY, ULSTER, OAK. 17-0. Another breakdown turnover sees the hosts transition from defence to attack in seconds, with Stockdale breaking down the right flank before freeing up Doak for the try.
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28’
Commentary
This Springbok-laden Sharks lineup has been nothing but disappointing in this opening half of the game. They have offered nothing on attack, have been exposed in defence and outplayed at the set-pieces.
27’
Commentary
Stockdale is a thorn in these Sharks' flesh at the moment. The fullback is a one-man wrecking ball, making running metres with every carry.
26’
Commentary
Every Sharks clearance kick is being used as a platform to launch a counter-attack from by Ulster. This Sharks look shell-shocked here.
25’
Commentary
The game resumes after Koch was attended to by medics.
24’
Commentary
The Sharks have no territorially dominance, let alone possession.
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23’
Commentary
Breakdown penalty to Ulster and again they turn down the points at goal and opt to set a 5m lineout.
22’
Commentary
Ulster are playing a high-tempo game and the Sharks are just jogging along for the ride. They look clueless here.
21’
Commentary
The handling skills on show here by Ulster is quite simply exquisite.
20’
Commentary
Ulster's former Sharks import, Werner Kok, has held his own brilliantly against the most accomplished Makazole Mapimpi.
19’
Commentary
The Sharks are looking listless here. They have to come to the party to make this an even contest.
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18’
Commentary
That's Ulster with the ascendancy at scrum time, the line-outs and in open play.
17’
Commentary
And now Ulster are also stamping their authority at lineout time as they leap highest to steal a Mbonambi throw-in.
16’
Commentary
The Sharks have been toothless in this opening quarter. There simply no attacking edge in their game at the moment.
15’
Commentary
This Ulster attack in full flow is a sight to behold. They are running these Sharks ragged.
14’
Commentary
Unbelievable scenes as Ulster shove this illustrious Sharks pack backwards and puts them into reverse. Luckily for the visitors, Hendrikse gets the ball out in time.
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13’
Commentary
Ulster almost scuttle away for a third try, but the referee calls them back for a forward pass. Sharks scrum.
12’
Commentary
The Sharks are playing fast and loose when they need to keep it tight and try to gain momentum through their forwards.
11’
Commentary
The Sharks have to find a way to nullify this clinical Ulster attack.
10’
Commentary
CONVERSION, ULSTER, MURPHY. 12-0.
9’
Commentary
TRY, ULSTER. 10-0. The home side scores two tries in as many minutes after aggressive defensive work forced the Sharks into a litany of errors.
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8’
Commentary
The Sharks' kick receipt is looking suspicious.
7’
Commentary
TRY, ULSTER, MURPHY. 5-0. Stockdale riprs through the Sharks defence and they keep the ball alive once he is tackled. They create an overlap and Murphy scores in the corner.
6’
Commentary
Ulster win the kicking duel and they charge toward the tryline.
5’
Commentary
Both teams are still feeling each other out with tactical kicks to gain the upper hand.
4’
Commentary
And the Sharks concede the first penalty of the game. Ulster kick to the line.
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3’
Commentary
Jaden Hendrikse goes to the air and Ulster fumbled the kick receipt.
2’
Commentary
A charge-down almost results in a fortuitous try for the Sharks, but Tshituka fail to put downward pressure on the ball.
1’
Commentary
And Ulster put in a very good clearance kick. The Sharks will feed a lineout just on the wrong side of halfway.
1’
Commentary
KICK OFF: The game at Kingspan Stadium is underway. Ulster need to win to stay alive in the competition, while the victory for the Sharks would see them secure a top four finish.
0’
Team News
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Jurenzo Julius, 17 Fez Mbatha, 18 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 19 Hanro Jacobs, 20 Manu Tshituka, 21 Phepsi Buthelezi, 22 Bradley Davids, 23 Siya Masuku.
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0’
Team News
Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Jude Postlethwaite, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 James McNabney, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Matty Rea, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Alan O’Connor (captain), 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Andrew Warwick.
Subs: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Kieran Treadwell, 21 Dave Shanahan, 22 Aidan Morgan, 23 David McCann.
0’
Commentary
The Sharks sit comfortably in the top half of the table with 10 wins from their 15 matches, while Ulster are languishing in 15th position with eight losses in their 15 games so far this season.
0’
Welcome
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the URC showdown between Ulster and the Sharks, brought to you live from Kingspan Stadium in Belfast (that's Northern Ireland!).
0’
Commentary
Ulster v Sharks, URC, 20:35
See All
Top Performers
Ball Carries
AF
A. Fassi
Ball Carries: 19
Tackles
NT
N. Timoney
Tackles: 20
Points
JM
J. Murphy
Points: 9
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Insights
United Rugby Championship
Points per match
2425
Tries per match
33
Penalties Conceded per match
1110
Match Information
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