Hanro Jacobs knocks the ball on about a metre from the try line to give Ulster a reprieve as they were pinned back before that unforced error.

It sums up the lack of accuracy we have seen from both sides so far.

That try seems to have reinvigorated the Sharks, whose driving maul gained a lot of territory, before they opt to kick into the corner to go again.

A tough end to the half lies ahead for Ulster.

Ulster are fast out of the traps after the water break as they look to add to their advantage.

Time for the water break which both sides will welcome in the heat.

A decent showing so far from Ulster as they have dealt with everything that the Sharks have thrown at them and managed to get their noses in front.

Ulster's scramble defence comes to their rescue as Dave McCann manages to turn the ball over before Stuart McCloskey punts the ball deep into Sharks territory. A frantic start to the game in Durban.

Great defending from Will Addison to deny Aphelele Fassi from darting past him and making his way towards the try line.

The Sharks still have the ball as they look to make their first real passage of play count.

It has been a stop-start opening to this game with neither side able to get into their rhythm and string a number of passes together.

A chaotic passage of play results in a turnover for the Sharks.

A loose pass from Aphelele Fassi is latched onto by Stuart McCloskey, who drives forward before finding Will Addison.

He weaves his way past a challenge before he is penalised for not releasing as Ulster fail to punish that Sharks error.

An encouraging sign of what Ulster can do when they go forward though.

Play resumes after that lengthily stoppage with George Cronje eventually going off on the stretcher.

It's scrum time.

A blow for the Sharks just over a minute into the game as George Cronje is forced off after sustaining what looks like a bad knee injury.

The stretcher is on the pitch and he is requiring lengthily treatment, which is not a good sign.

A bright start from the home side who are moving the ball well and forcing Ulster back.

An early break in play as Kieran Treadwell receives treatment.

Billy Burns gets Richie Murphy's reign as interim head coach underway.

The two sides make their way onto the pitch here in Durban in the sweltering 28 degree heat, which could pose a problem for Ulster today. Kick-off is approaching.

Munster have announced the signing of Ireland international Billy Burns with the fly-half to make the switch from Ulster this summer.

The 29-year-old, who joins on a one-year deal, has played 107 times for Ulster since joining from from Gloucester in 2018.

Bath-born Burns, who is Irish-qualified through his grandfather, has won seven international caps.

Burns' arrival at Munster will coincide with Joey Carbery's move to France.

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster prop Tom O'Toole says the province's two-game URC tour to South Africa offers a "unique opportunity" for the squad to gel.

Ulster face the Sharks before next week's encounter with the Stormers.

"It's rare to have everyone together as a squad," said O'Toole.

"With new coaches involved it's a great chance to get to know the members of the squad they don't know that well.

"There's no better time for the group to gel and have a bit of time together," added the Ireland front row.

"When you have two weeks away together you are always with each other and rooming with someone so you are never alone. Compared to what it is like here week to week with Ulster, going away for two weeks is quite unique within the year."

O'Toole is expecting a tough test against the Sharks, despite their lowly position in the table.

"South Africa is never an easy place to go and play. It's going to be two tough games for us. We are fortunate we are going to be at sea level rather than at altitude but it's still going to be quite warm so a bit of a challenge and a chance to see where we are.

"These teams are a different breed when they play at home. They're always very physical and pride themselves on that and I'm sure the Sharks will not let us down on that physicality aspect."

Image source, Getty Images

Ulster captain Iain Henderson, Kieran Treadwell and Stuart McCloskey return for the first match of Ulster's South African tour.

Henderson and McCloskey are back after helping Ireland to a Six Nations triumph while Treadwell is promoted from the bench.

Treadwell and Henderson will form a new second row partnership with McCloskey replacing Jude Postlethwaite at centre.

Treadwell is selected in the starting XV for the first time since sustaining a rib injury against Harlequins in January.

Sharks: Hendrikse; Masuku, Mapimpi, Hooker, Am (capt); Keyter, Fassi; Mchunu, Mbonambi, Jacobs, Etzebeth, Grobler, Buthelezi, Tshituka, Cronje.

Replacements: Van Vuuren, Nche, Koch, Rahl, Labuschagne, Wright, Bosch, Venter.

Ulster: Addison; McIlroy, Hume, McCloskey, Lowry; Burns, Cooney; Kitshoff, Stewart, O'Toole, Treadwell, Henderson (capt), Sheridan, McCann, Timoney.

Replacements: Andrew, Warwick, Wilson, Izuchukwu, Rea, Doak, Postlethwaite, Reffell.

Image source, BBC Sport

Interim head coach Richie Murphy takes charge of Ulster for the first time in today's United Rugby Championship contest against the bottom-placed Sharks in Durban.

Looking at the league table, one could be forgiven for thinking that this appears a handy enough fixture for the sixth-placed Irish province who are 24 points ahead of the Sharks.

However, the Sharks look to be parading their strongest side of the season to date with fit-again lock Eben Etzebeth returning after two months out as he joins a pack that includes fellow South Africa World Cup winning forward Bongi Mbonambi.

But the mood music coming out from the Ulster camp in South Africa has been promising and indeed this two-week trip, with next week's game against the Stormers to come, is probably the ideal way for Murphy to put his highly-regarded imprint on the squad.

We have live coverage on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds in addition to our text commentary and look forward to you joining us.

Image source, Gett