The Hollywoodbets Sharks go from Dublin to Durban, where they will be looking to break their Vodacom URC duck this season, although they drew against the Dragons in the second round, when they welcome Ulster Rugby to Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday afternoon at 16:00 (SA Time).
The KwaZulu-Natalians’ only loss in their last 10 home games in the Vodacom URC was in March to eventual champions, Leinster, but they will be mindful of the fact that they have won just one of their last four fixtures against Irish provinces.
Ulster, one of only three unbeaten teams so far this season, travels to Durban with maximum points from the two games they have played in the last few weeks, although they won only twice on the road in the Vodacom URC last season, away against Connacht and the Dragons.
The Hollywoodbets Sharks will have taken notice that the Ulstermen have lost on their last four visits to South Africa, but will also not have forgotten the team from Belfast’s 31-24 victory in Durban in February 2023.
The big guns have been brought out for the first home game of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship as the Hollywoodbets Sharks look to unleash powerfully and emphatically against Ulster.
Back from their heroics in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and a break to revitalise energy levels are forwards Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth, and Siya Kolisi, who join fellow Boks Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch after the pair played off the bench last week.
Scrumhalf Grant Williams and inside centre Andre Esterhuizen join a star-studded backline with Siya Masuku getting his first start of the campaign after playing off the bench last week, joined by another player making his return from injury, Jordan Hendrikse, who provides cover off a powerful bench.
Ulster’s head coach Murphy made five personnel changes to the starting lineup from last week's Round 3 victory over the Vodacom Bulls.
There are first starts of the season for hooker, Tom Stewart, and tighthead prop, Scott Wilson, who join loosehead prop, Sam Crean, in the front row.
Ireland international Iain Henderson captains the side in the second row, paired alongside Harry Sheridan.
The back-row remains unchanged, as David McCann starts at blindside flanker, Nick Timoney at openside flanker, and Juarno Augustus at number eight.
After a Player of the Match performance against Vodacom Bulls, Nathan Doak continues at scrum-half alongside Jack Murphy at fly-half.
There are two changes to Ulster's exciting backline, as Michael Lowry is fit again to start at full-back.
Ireland international Jacob Stockdale starts on the left wing, with Werner Kok facing his former club on the right wing.
Stuart McCloskey and James Hume continue in their strong midfield centre partnership at twelve and thirteen.
Development lock Joe Hopes is named among the replacements, with the former Ireland U20s forward in line to make his first senior Ulster appearance since his debut in November 2023 against Connacht.
Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O'Toole, and Sean Reffell join Hopes as the forwards cover.
Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, and Jude Postlethwaite are the backline replacements.
Teams
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, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Vincent Tshituka (captain), 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Manu Tshituka, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
Ulster Rugby: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Werner Kok, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 David McCann, 5 Harry Sheridan, 4 Iain Henderson (captain), 3 Scott Wilson, 2 Tom Stewart, 1 Sam Crean. Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Joe Hopes, 20 Sean Reffell, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Jude Postlethwaite.