Referee Ben Whitehouse blows his whistle and we're under way here in Durban.

Should be a good one!

Kings Park is filling up as both teams wrap their warm-ups. There’s a real buzz in Durban, cloudy but dry, around 23°C.

Kick-off incoming.

Speaking on Premier Sports, Richie Murphy said:“They’re a tough team, and while it hasn’t been going for them lately, there are definitely things we’ve seen. But it’s a different side now with the Springboks coming back in, which gives them real strength. We’re here to take as many points as we can. We feel we’re in a good position and we’ll test them today.”

On Ulster’s start to the season:“The lads are happy. We’re trying to play an exciting game, move the ball, and mix that with our kicking. It’ll be a big test here in Durban - a bit hotter than back home - but we’re looking forward to it.”

Sharks return to Durban still searching for a first win of the season, having opened with three straight away days that included a 17-17 draw at the Dragons in round two. They begin round four in 13th place.

Kings Park has been a fortress under John Plumtree: across their last ten URC outings there, the only blemish was a 10-7 defeat to Leinster in March.

These sides have met four times and it’s perfectly balanced at two wins apiece. The series tends to be tight, averaging 22 points per team. Ulster’s sole success in Durban came in February 2023, a 31-24 victory.

The Sharks have recalled five of their Rugby Championship-winning South Africa internationals for this afternoon's game against Ulster in Durban.

World Cup winners Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi all return to the Sharks pack to join international team-mates Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch, who featured against Leinster in Dublin last week, for the United Rugby Championship encounter at Kings Park.

Springboks scrum-half Grant Williams and inside centre Andre Esterhuizen return to a backline which boasts a Test-level back three of Makazole Mapimpi, Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe.

Hendrikse brothers Jaden and Jordan and Lukhanyo Am are named among the replacements.

Wing Hooker, 22, says the Sharks are excited for their first home game of the season after defeats by Leinster and Glasgow and a draw with the Dragons on their European tour.

Read the article here.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster made it back-to-back bonus point wins last Saturday against the Bulls as three quickfire ties in the second half put the South African club away.

However, this two-game tour to South Africa will bring different challenges with a trip to Johannesburg to face the Lions to follow.

Kok expects his former club will be "a little bit more expansive and unpredictable" than the Bulls were in Belfast, but believes Ulster are capable of repeating their 2023 win.

"They play with a lot of offloads and have a different defensive system where they rush the ball.

"Set-pieces are still going to be a big test as they have a big pack with the international players. If we stick to our game-plan and move them about a bit, I'm sure we can come away with a 'W'.

"Going away from home is when a team really gets tested and going to the Sharks, playing against a team that will probably be loaded with Springboks coming off a good international window will be a great test. The Bulls, for me the top team in South Africa, to be able to beat them at home, gives us a lot of confidence going into this weekend."

Read the article here.

The Sharks have named a strong team to face Ulster and have recalled five of their Rugby Championship-winning South Africa internationals in the shape of Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams and Andre Esterhuizen.

Sharks: E van der Merwe; E Hooker, J Julius, A Esterhuizen, M Mapimpi; S Masuku, G Williams; O Nche, B Mbonambi, V Koch, E Etzebeth, M Orie, S Kolisi, V Tshituka (capt), P Buthelezi.

Replacements: F Mbatha, S Matanzima, R Dreyer, B Hlekani, E Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, L Am.

Ulster have named all four of their Ireland call-ups to start against the Sharks in Durban this afternoon, with Iain Henderson captaining from the second row as they chase a third straight URC win.

Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale also start, while Michael Lowry returns from injury at full-back, joining Stockdale,who shifts to the wing, and former Sharks wing Werner Kok in the back three.

Up front, hooker Tom Stewart and tighthead Scott Wilson make their first starts of the season alongside Sam Crean. With Cormac Izuchukwu not travelling due to the foot injury that also ruled him out of the Ireland squad, Harry Sheridan partners Henderson in the engine room, behind a back row of David McCann, Nick Timoney and Juarno Augustus.

Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy continue at half-back, with McCloskey and James Hume paired in midfield. Development lock Joe Hopes is named on the bench and could make his first appearance since November 2023.

Ulster: M Lowry; W Kok; J Hume, S McCloskey; J Stockdale; J Murphy, N Doak; S Crean, T Stewart, S Wilson; I Henderson, H Sheridan; D McCann, N Timoney, J Augustus.

Replacements: R Herring, C Reid, T O'Toole, J Hopes, S Reffell, C McKee, J Flannery, J Postlethwaite.

Image source, Inpho

We’re live from Durban for round four of the United Rugby Championship, where the Sharks play their first home game of the season, and it’s a big one.

Ulster are in town, looking to extend their unbeaten start after back-to-back wins to open the campaign.

The Sharks, meanwhile, are still chasing their first victory after three tough weeks on the road, including a 31-5 defeat by Leinster in Dublin last time out. But with home comforts restored and a host of Springboks back in the fold, they’ll fancy their chances of a statement performance in front of their own fans.

For Ulster, this is another test of depth and resilience on South African soil. Richie Murphy’s men have shown promise in their opening wins, and a victory here would mark a huge early-season statement.

Stick with us for live updates, analysis, and all the big moments from Durban. Kick-off is coming up soon at Kings Park.