A powerful display from Ulster dominates the Sharks, at their home turf. Both sides with excellent chances, but unfortunately for the Shark, they missed too many conversions, which ultimately left them short.
Sharks steal a deadly line out, just outside of their try line, giving them one last push.
Sharks given what looks like to be their last opportunity, as Ulster lose the ball into touch at the half way line.
Sharks are able to prevent a SEXTON try at their 22, after a dangerous looking one on one attempt gets dealt with.
Ulster given no choice but to clear it from their goal line, as COONEY kicks it into touch, to concede a Sharks line out at the away sides 22.
Sharks given a golden opportunity with an advantage after a high tackle on Kok, but are unable to take anything away from it. Sharks kick for the corner, and claim a hopeful line out.
Ulster are doing everything in their power to make sure they are not pegged back, as they deal with the Sharks attack.
BOSCH fail to capitalise on the conversion, as the ball goes too far left of the posts.
TRY, SHARKS, CHAMBERLAIN , 24-31: Sharks successfully steal the line out to create an incredible spell of play, with Kok driving through the lines before delivering the final pass.
Sharks attempt to break through Ulster's defence, but are unable to find an opening.
Sharks are awarded a penalty for Ulster offside just in front of Ulster's posts. Unfortunately they have had to kick into touch, in hopes of maximising on their chance. Unfortunately, Sharks are not able to claim anything, after a failed attack, after the line out
CONVERSION, ULSTER, COONEY, 19-31: A great kick from the number nine, allowing Ulster to stretch the gap.
TRY, ULSTER, SHERIDAN , 19-29: Ulster punish the Sharks with quick hands to open up space for the number five.
The match is restarted with an Ulster line out.
Water break for the sides to battle with the unbearable heat of Durban.
Ulster line out just outside of the Sharks 22, as Ulster look for something to help recreate the gap between the sides.
CONVERSION, SHARKS, BOSCH, 19-24: A well slotted kick from Bosch puts the Sharks back into the game.
TRY, SHARKS, MCHUNU , 17-24: a beautifully worked team try, finished off by the number 1, as he goes crashing over.
Sharks claim a penalty just in front of Ulster's posts, after not releasing. Sharks kick for the right corner to claim an attacking line out.
Sharks throwing everything into their attack, but are unsuccessful. Fortunately they still claim possession due to an advantage from a deliberate knock down.
Bosch fails to claim the penalty after being rushed, due to time running out.
CONVERSION, ULSTER, COONEY, 12-24: A calmly taken conversion pushes Ulster further towards the win.
TRY, ULSTER, MOORE , 12-22: After a cheeky steal from the number 12 right on the Sharks try line allows the away side to pull away.
Ulster fail to claim an early try, but are fortunate for a Sharks off side, which allows the away side to kick into touch, just outside the Sharks try line.
Sharks concede the penalty after a late challenge from the number 11. Ulster kick into touch for an attacking line out close to the Sharks 22.
FLANNERY gets the game restarted.
The first half comes to an end, with Ulster on top. Both sides saw multiple opportunities to score, but were unable to capitalise on all of their chances. Ulster have been strong on defence, but Sharks have not given up, as the look for any sight of the try line.
Try saving tackle on SEXTON keeps the Sharks in a dangerous position. However, after TMO review, Sharks claim a defensive scrum after forward pass by Ulster.
Sharks fail to capitalise as the kick goes into touch, giving Ulster an attacking line out.
Sharks looking to capitalise after a sloppy Ulster line out.
CONVERSION, ULSTER, COONEY, 12-17: an excellent kick as the number nine sends the ball over with some sharpshooting.
TRY, ULSTER, STEWART , 12-15: After a successful line out, the away side are able to muscle Sharks over their line with a lethal maul.
CONVERSION, SHARKS, BOSCH, 12-10: a composed kick from Bosch sees the Sharks take the lead again.
TRY, SHARKS,ABRAHAMS , 10-10: Ulster with a massive error sees Sharks punish them for their mishap.
CONVERSION, ULSTER, COONEY, 5-12: a well placed kick from the number nine puts the away side in control.
TRY, ULSTER, STEWART , 5-8: After a well worked line out, Ulster are able to drive the maul over the line, to put them ahead of the Sharks.
Penalty to Ulster after Sharks collapse the maul, sees Ulster with a line out, dangerously close to the Sharks try line.
Excellent defending from the Sharks, as they are able to deal with a deadly Ulster attack, thanks to KOK .
PENALTY, ULSTER, COONEY, 5-3: High tackle on Ulster, sees the away side maximise on the opportunity.
Game back underway, with Ulster claiming possession after slight misconduct from the Sharks in the ruck, prior to the water break.
Quick water break, in order to battle the blistering Durban heat.
Sharks struggle to find an attacking threat, as Ulster defend with great strength.
Scrum to Ulster after Sharks deliver a knock on, after attempting an attacking kick down the right side.
Sharks are able to clear their lines after Ulster collapse the scrum.
Sharks scrum just inside their half after Ulster knock on.
Defensive scrum for Ulster sees the away side clear their lines, after Sharks collapse the scrum.
Sharks with a dangerous attempt to score, but miss out after knock on.
Possession change after Ulster are unable to capitalise, due to a knock on.
Unfortunately for the Sharks, Bosch's kick goes wide.
TRY, SHARKS, WILLIAMS, 5-0: A defensive splitting run from the scrum half sees Sharks take the lead.
Ulster with possession after BOSCH kick goes too far.
BOSCH gets the battle underway in Durban.
The Referee for today’s game is Sam Grove-White from Scotland, and he will be assisted by Griffin Colby and Cwengile Jadezweni, both from South Africa. The TMO is Andrew McMenemy from Scotland.
ULSTER: 1.R. SUTHERLAND, 2. J. ANDREW, 3. J. TOOMAGA-ALLEN, 4. A. O’CONNOR, 5. H. SHERIDAN, 6. J. MURPHY, 7 N. TIMONEY, 8. D. VERMEULEN(c), 9. J. COONEY, 10 J. FLANNERY, 11. A. SEXTON, 12. S. MOORE, 13. L MARSHALL, 14. C. GILROY, 15. M. LOWRY. Reserves: 16. T. STEWART, 17. A. WARWICK, 18. G MILASINOVICH, 19. C. IZUCHUKWU, 20. D MCCANN, 21. D. SHANAHAN, 22. I. MADIGAN, 23. E. MCILROY.
Sharks: 1.N. MCHUNU, 2. D. JOOSTE, 3. C. SADIE, 4. R. HUGO 5. G. GROBLER 6. D. RICHARDSON 7. V. TSHITUKA, 8 P. BUTHELEZI(c), 9. G. WILLIAMS, 10 C. BOSCH, 11 T. ABRAHAMS, 12. R. JANSE VAN RENSBURG, 13. F. VENTER, 14. W. KOK, 15. B. CHAMBERLAIN. Reserves: 16. F. MBATHA, 17. D. BLEULER, 18. H. JACOBS, 19. E. VAN HEERDEN, 20. S. NOTSHE, 21. C. WRIGHT, 22 L. CRONJE, 23. Y PENXE.
Sharks have won three out of their last five games, which puts them in great form for today’s match.
Ulster have won two out of their last five games, which puts them in a tricky spell of form.
The Sharks have found themselves to be a mid-table team, with plenty of points to catch up. However, a win today could see them clearing the Bulls to claim 6th place, while extending the gap between them and Connacht.
Ulster are six points clear of the sharks, and are 3rd on the table. A win today will not change their standings, but it will give them space on the Glasgow Warriors, who are just one point behind Ulster.
The sides were supposed to meet in Durban, in October last year; but unfortunately, the away side fell ill, which forced the match to be postponed.
Good afternoon, and welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby clash between Ulster and the Sharks from Kings Park Stadium, in Durban, South Africa.
