Ulster are unable to make their pressure count as Nathan Doak is held up under the posts and then the Bulls break after Jacob Stockdale gives up possession.

Luan Giliomee is tackled just short of the line so the Bulls are denied on this occasion.

David McCann has received some treatment but is back up on his feet again and seemingly raring to go.

The Bulls' domination has been relentless inside the Ulster 22 for much of this game so far but Ulster have now made ground deep into Bulls territory.

The home team continue to put Ulster under pressure, going through the phases and bearing down on the visitors' line.

No addition to that early score so far, but you have a feeling it may only be a matter of time!

We're off and running in Pretoria!

Can Ulster tame the Bulls?

Ulster

Eight of the nine Ulster players called up by Andy Farrell for Ireland's Nations Championship fixtures next month have been selected to feature for the province against the Bulls.

Tom O'Toole, Tom Stewart and Nick Timoney all start up front this weekend, with Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Benson, Nathan Doak and Jacob Stockdale getting the nod in the back-line.

Uncapped back row James McNabney, who will hope to make a Test bow next month, is among the replacements, with wing Robert Baloucoune the only one of the province's Test call-ups not to feature in Saturday's 23.

Seemingly included in Farrell's squad as a fly-half option, Benson reverts back to outside centre having worn 10 in the win against Zebre in the Challenge Cup last time out.

The versatile Mike Lowry will play left wing for the first time since January 2025, with Murphy opting for a 6:2 split on the bench.

Bulls: Giliomee, de Klerk, Xamlashe, Vorster, Jooste, Pollard, de Wet, Louw, Liebenberg, Coetzee (captain), Ludwig, Vermaak, Klopper, Grobbelaar, Steenekamp.

Replacements: van Staden, Tshakweni, Mchunu, Wiese, Hanekom, Burger, Bosch, Maart.

Ulster: Stockdale; Mullins, Benson, McCloskey, Lowry; Murphy, Doak; O'Toole, Stewart (capt), Knox; Donnell, Izuchukwu; McCann, Timoney, Augustus.

Replacements: Walker, O'Sullivan, Wilson, Snyman, McNabney, Devine, Flannery, McKillop

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the United Rugby Championship game between the Bulls and Ulster at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Having drawn two and lost one of their first three URC games, Ulster are aiming to secure their first win of the league season, despite having picked up eight points from their winless start.

The Irish province did taste victory in their opening Challenge Cup game away to Zebre last weekend however.

This fixture is the first of two on their South African tour, with a trip to Cape Town to face the Stormers next on the agenda next Saturday.

The Bulls meanwhile have won two and lost one of their opening three URC outings.

We will bring you live audio coverage of the match, plus text updates on the key events, so be sure to stay with us and you won't miss a minute of the drama or the action as it unfolds.

Thanks for joining us!

Image source, Inpho