Kok and McCloskey return to face Bok-loaded Sharks

Werner Kok and Stuart McCloskey return for Ulster to face a Sharks line-up featuring South Africa's two-time World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi

United Rugby Championship: Ulster v Sharks

Venue: Kingspan Stadium, Belfast Date: Saturday, 26 April Kick-off: 19:35 BST

Coverage: Watch live on iPlayer, BBC Two NI & online, follow live text and watch highlights on BBC Sport website & app

Werner Kok and Stuart McCloskey have returned to the Ulster team for Saturday's crucial United Rugby Championship game against a Sharks team loaded with Springboks.

Former Sharks wing Kok has been out injured since January while Ireland international centre McCloskey replaces Stewart Moore after missing last week's defeat by Leinster.

With Michael Lowry sidelined, Jacob Stockdale starts at full-back.

The Sharks, who are fourth in the URC table, have named nine World Cup winners in their starting line-up.

Eben Etzebeth captains the visitors from the second row with Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Jaden Hendrikse and Andre Esterhuizen also included.

Sharks boss John Plumtree makes two changes from the XV that started last week's win over Edinburgh as Jason Jenkins and James Venter are recalled.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy makes one change to his pack as Matty Rea is named at blind-side flanker, which sees James McNabney moving to number eight and Dave McCann dropping to the bench.

Alan O'Connor will captain the team in his final home match, with Rea, Andrew Warwick and Kieran Treadwell also set for a farewell Kingspan outing.

Murphy has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench: Treadwell, McCann, Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson and Matthew Dalton are the forward reinforcements with Dave Shanahan and Aidan Morgan covering the backline.

Ulster are 10th in the URC table as they chase a play-off spot and Champions Cup qualification for next season.

After hosting the Sharks, they face trips to Munster and Edinburgh in their final two games on 9 and 16 May.

The Sharks beat Ulster 22-12 when the sides met in Durban last season.

Line-ups

Ulster: Stockdale; Kok, Postlethwaite, McCloskey, Ward; Murphy, Doak; Warwick, Herring, O'Toole; O'Connor (capt), Izuchukwu; Matty Rea, Timoney, McNabney.

Replacements: Stewart, Reid, Wilson, Dalton, Treadwell, Shanahan, Morgan, McCann.

Sharks: Fassi; Hooker, Am, Esterhuizen, Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Jaden Hendrikse; Nche, Mobambi, Koch; Etzebeth (capt), Jenkins; Venter, Vincent Tshituka, Kolisi.

Replacements: Mbatha, Mchunu, Jacobs, Manu Tshituka, Buthelezi, Davids, Masuku, Julius.