Dan McFarland’s men have fared well against South African opposition this season, becoming the only northern hemisphere team to win both away games against the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as dominating DHL Stormers at Kingspan Stadium back in January.

Tickets are still available for Saturday’s big game at ulster.rugby/buytickets.

The win against Stormers was the last time the Ulster men ran out at Kingspan Stadium as the province faced a three match away block after the international break.

The stakes are high as Ulster currently sit third in the URC table on 54 points, knowing a win could see them draw level with DHL Stormers, currently in second on 59 points. A win would only increase Ulster’s hopes of securing a home advantage in the URC Play-Offs.

Meanwhile, the Bulls, who sit in sixth position, will hope to turn their form around after a tough spell of results, and with returning Springboks in their squad they will be looking to cause an upset in Belfast.

Ulster Forwards Coach Roddy Grant told reporters at the media briefing earlier this week that the province will be looking to continue their positive form:

“We feel refreshed, we’ve had a good week of training and everybody is raring to go this Saturday in front of a home crowd. Bulls are a good side, full of big physical guys, and our focus is fully on them.”

Vermeulen to captain Ulster against old side

Springbok Duane Vermeulen skippers the Ulster men against a side he knows all too well, having captained the Bulls when he played for them from 2019- 2021.

Leading the front row against the South African opposition, Ballymena man Andy Warwick starts at loosehead prop and is joined by Tom Stewart at hooker, who is back with the province after being part of Ireland’s Grand Slam winning training squad. They will be packing down with Jeff Toomaga-Allen at loosehead prop.

Kieran Treadwell, who featured for Ireland in the Grand Slam win against England, is back starting in the second row alongside experienced Wallaby lock, Sam Carter.

David McCann and Nick Timoney join Vermeulen in the back row, with both flankers hoping to continue their positive form from the last match against Cardiff.

Nathan Doak keeps the 9 shirt after a Player of the Match performance against Cardiff where he scored a try and slotted six out of six conversions. Billy Burns joins him at fly-half, hoping to build on a good try-scoring performance against Cardiff.

The midfield is kept the same as last time out, as young pair Stewart Moore and James Hume keep their places in Ulster’s centre positions.

The back three sees a welcome return for explosive winger Rob Baloucoune who hasn’t featured for Ulster since early January. He is joined by Jacob Stockdale and full back Mike Lowry.

McFarland has opted for a six-two split on the bench with John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan and Marcus Rea named as forward options, and John Cooney and Jude Postlethwaite covering the backline.

Ulster team to face Vodacom Bulls, Round 16 BKT United Rugby Championship, Saturday 25 March at Kingspan Stadium (KO 7 35pm), live on BBC NI, RTÉ, Viaplay and URC.tv

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Andy Warwick, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen (Captain).

Replacements: John Andrew, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, John Cooney, Jude Postlethwaite.