The Lions will be determined to build on their first win of the season, last weekend against the Scarlets at Ellis Park, but they will be wary of the threat Ulster poses as one of only three unbeaten teams in the competition following their morale-boosting 34-26 victory against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban.
The match will kick off on Saturday at 13:45 (SA Time) at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
With Ulster in fifth place on the standings and the Lions on the lower end of the table in 11th place, and the Irishmen boasting a superior attack and defence, with the Lions having conceded more than double the points they have to date, they will enter the clash as favourites.
However, the home side will undoubtedly look to use the altitude factor to their advantage in their quest to recover from their disappointing start to the season, especially with the Lions having the luxury of playing back on SA’s shores in the next few weeks. The two teams have met four times before, with Ulster’s only defeat being 22-35 at Ellis Park in September 2024.
In the Lions team news, lock Reinhard Nothnagel, who came off the bench against Scarlets, starts in the number 5 jumper. Last week’s Player of the Match, Jarod Cairns, replaces the injured JC Pretorius. The only change in the backline is that of inside centre Bronson Mills, who gets an opportunity alongside the explosive Henco van Wyk.
Ulster Development forward Joe Hopes makes his first senior start for his province after coming on as a replacement in the bonus-point victory over the Sharks last weekend in Durban. Hopes is joined in the second row by Harry Sheridan.
Hooker Rob Herring captains the side, with Sam Crean retaining his spot at loosehead prop, while Tom O’Toole starts at tighthead prop.
The back row sees one change from the victory over Sharks, with last week’s second-half try scorer, Tom Stewart, starting at openside flanker, alongside David McCann at blindside flanker and Juarno Augustus at number eight. Stewart was named as captain for the Ireland XV squad to face Spain next month.
The in-form duo of scrum-half Nathan Doak and fly-half Jack Murphy continue as the half-backs partnership.
There are three changes to the backline, with Zac Ward starting on the left wing in place of Jacob Stockdale, who has linked up with the Ireland national side ahead of the November matches.
With Stuart McCloskey also in the Ireland camp, exciting young centre Jude Postlethwaite starts at twelve, joining James Hume at thirteen as the midfield pair.
Rob Baloucoune returns to start on the right wing, and Michael Lowry retains his position at full-back.
On the replacements bench, Academy back-rower Bryn Ward is in line for his senior Ulster debut after joining the squad this week.
There is also the potential of the former Ireland U20 star playing alongside his older brother, Zac, for the first time.
James McCormick, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, and Matthew Dalton are the forwards cover, with Conor McKee, Jake Flannery and Werner Kok the backline replacements.
Teams:
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Kelly Mpeku.
Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Tom Stewart, 6 David McCann, 5 Joe Hopes, 4 Harry Sheridan, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring (captain), 1 Sam Crean. Replacements: 16 James McCormick, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Werner Kok.