Sharks v Ulster Rugby – Preview, Teams & Prediction

JoeNa Connacht — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:18:59 +0000

Hollywoodbets Sharks v Ulster Rugby – Preview, Teams & Prediction

Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban Date: Saturday, 18 October 2025 Kick-off: 3pm (UK/IRL) / 4pm (SA) Live on: Premier Sports & URC.tv

Match Preview

The Hollywoodbets Sharks finally return home to Durban after three consecutive away games, still searching for their first win of the 2025/26 BKT United Rugby Championship. Standing in their way are Ulster Rugby, who arrive in South Africa with maximum points from their opening two matches but a poor record on their travels. The Sharks welcome back several of their Springbok stars, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch, while the explosive Grant Williams and Andre Esterhuizen also start in a much-strengthened lineup. Their only defeat in the last ten home Championship games was a narrow 10–7 loss to Leinster in March, and they will fancy their chances of finally putting a win on the board. For Ulster, Richie Murphy makes five changes from last week’s win over the Vodacom Bulls. Ireland internationals Iain Henderson and Jacob Stockdale return to the starting XV, while Michael Lowry is fit again to start at full-back. Young fly-half Jack Murphy continues his partnership with Nathan Doak, who was Player of the Match last weekend. The Ulstermen’s form at home has been excellent, but they’ve lost their last four visits to South Africa and will need to front up physically against a Sharks pack brimming with World Cup winners.

Form & Head-to-Head

Sharks are winless this season but did draw 17-all away to Dragons in Round 2.
Their last ten home URC games include only one defeat — 7-10 to Leinster (March 2025).
Sharks have won just one of their last four fixtures against Irish provinces.
Ulster have maximum points from their two games so far in 2025/26.
Ulster won only twice away from home in last season’s URC.
These sides have met four times, with two wins apiece; Ulster’s last victory in Durban was 31-24 in February 2023.

Hollywoodbets Sharks Team News

Hollywoodbets Sharks: 15. Edwill van der Merwe 14. Ethan Hooker 13. Jurenzo Julius 12. Andre Esterhuizen 11. Makazole Mapimpi 10. Siya Masuku 9. Grant Williams 1. Ox Nche 2. Bongi Mbonambi 3. Vincent Koch 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Marvin Orie 6. Siya Kolisi 7. Vincent Tshituka (C) 8. Phepsi Buthelezi Replacements: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Bathobele Hlekani, 20. Emmanuel Tshituka, 21. Jaden Hendrikse, 22. Jordan Hendrikse, 23. Lukhanyo Am

Ulster Rugby Team News

Ulster Rugby (caps in brackets): 15. Michael Lowry (125) 14. Werner Kok (16) 13. James Hume (101) 12. Stuart McCloskey (206) 11. Jacob Stockdale (135) 10. Jack Murphy (15) 9. Nathan Doak (91) 1. Sam Crean (4) 2. Tom Stewart (57) 3. Scott Wilson (37) 4. Iain Henderson (165) CAPTAIN 5. Harry Sheridan (43) 6. David McCann (70) 7. Nick Timoney (169) 8. Juarno Augustus (2)

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Ulster have no new injury concerns from Zebre clash

JoeNa Connacht — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 10:50:11 +0000

The Ulster Rugby Medical Performance team has issued a squad update ahead of Friday’s United Rugby Championship fixture against Benetton at Kingspan Stadium.

The side has no new injury concerns arising out of Saturday’s game against Zebre, a 36-3 win in Parma.

Stuart McCloskey (hamstring) and Jordi Murphy sustained recent injuries in training and are currently unfit for selection.

Jacob Stockdale (ankle) and Rob Lyttle (back) also sustained recent training ground injuries and will have their fitness for selection monitored through the coming week.

Cormac Izuchukwu and Luke Marshall remain out with knee injuries while winger Robert Baloucoune recovers from a groin injury.

Captain Iain Henderson is sidelined with a thumb injury while former Leinster prop Jack McGrath is working his way to full fitness after a hip injury.

Kieran Treadwell is still sidelined with the shoulder injury he picked up during pre-season and is currently working his way back into contention.

Nathan Doak earned his first start for the province against Zebre after coming on in place of Cooney against Glasgow Warriors.

The Ireland international had to leave the field after 30 minutes and has recently had an MRI scan to determine the severity of his injury.

Doak scored one of Ulster’s conversions in the 33-point win over Zebre at the Stade Sergio Lanfranchi.

Dan McFarland’s side scored six tries to get their second win of the season and continue their strong start to the inaugural United Rugby Championship season.

Ethan McIlroy and Nick Timoney both scored braces on Saturday as the visitors blew away their hosts in a clear showcase of the gulf in class between the sides.

Will Addison also got on the scoresheet for the side as well as James Hume but Ulster could only manage to convert half of their kicking opportunities following the tries.

McFarland’s team will hope to go three-from-three against Benetton to maintain their impressive start.

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