Ulster visits the Stormers at DHL Stadium in Cape Town for a round-five United Rugby Championship clash on October 31, 2026. Richie Murphy’s touring side faces a daunting challenge after losing eight Ireland internationals to national camp, while the hosts lean on a heavily changed lineup ahead of upcoming Test fixtures.
Ulster arrives in Cape Town sitting 13th in the standings after a turbulent opening block of the United Rugby Championship season, having collected two draws and two losses. Their latest outing ended in a 34-26 defeat against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld. Coach Richie Murphy pointed to fundamental areas that require immediate attention as his squad prepares for another formidable South African opponent.
The visiting side conceded 16 turnovers during their opening four fixtures, alongside 12 penalties and 30 missed tackles in Pretoria, recording a tackle success rate of just 77 percent. Compounding those disciplinary and set-piece hurdles, the squad must now play a fifth-round fixture without several senior figures. Eight Ireland squad members returned home to join Andy Farrell’s national camp at the start of the week.
Team news is in! Here's how we line up for Saturday's clash against @THESTORMERS in Cape Town 🇿🇦 📺 | @PremSportsTV pic.twitter.com/L7SuUIPVRf
How Ulster Reconfigured the Squad for Cape Town
To offset the departure of their internationals, Ulster welcomed seven squad reinforcements who joined the group in Cape Town, including South African-born Ireland international Rob Herring, Tom Brigg, Sam Crean, Jed Findlay, James Hume, Martin Moloney, and Zac Ward. Herring and Hume step straight into starting roles.
The reshuffled visiting lineup features Hume linking up with Ben Carson in the midfield, while Zac Ward takes a wing spot and Ethan McIlroy starts at fullback. Loose forward Juarno Augustus starts at No. 8, returning to face the hometown club where he grew up playing.
John Dobson Manages Springbok Ambitions and Home Streak
The DHL Stormers host Ulster at DHL Stadium aiming to secure their fourth consecutive home victory of the season. Director of rugby John Dobson has adjusted his lineup significantly, making 10 changes to the starting XV while resting playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Yaqeen Ahmed steps into the flyhalf jersey alongside scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, and Ruhan Nel returns to captain the fourth-placed Cape side from outside centre.
The selection reflects a broader balancing act for the Cape franchise, which must weigh its early-season URC ambitions against the international aspirations of a growing contingent of Springbok squad members. Young center Markus Muller, flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, and utility forward Riley Norton recently earned spots in the national touring squad for upcoming Nations Championship Tests against Italy, France, and Ireland.
Change to our team to take on Ulster with Markus Muller coming in at 12 after Jonathan Roche was withdrawn due to injury. #inittogether #STOvULS @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/EORHWQ3L5a
We always want to find a fine line between having a lot of Springboks and, you know, I think we’ve been sitting quite nicely in the middle. But having so many players away is not ideal for our campaign. I suppose it’s a consequence of your own success.
Dobson noted that managing players who are eager to press their claims for international debuts requires careful handling, particularly with the risk of injury when individuals try to protect themselves ahead of a major tour. The team was also forced into a late midfield adjustment when Jonathan Roche withdrew through injury, allowing Markus Muller to slot directly into the No. 12 jersey.
DHL Stadium Gates Open for Stormers and Ulster Clash
Gates at DHL Stadium open at 12h45 ahead of the 14h45 kick-off on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
| Team | Starting XV | Key Replacements |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Stormers | D Willemse, S Senatla, R Nel, M Muller, L Zas, Y Ahmed, C Reinach, N Mchunu, V Paulo, W Louw, A Smith, JD Schickerling, P de Villiers, L Nel, E Roos | B Mbonambi, V Matongo, N Fouché, R Norton, C Evans, W Mlaba, H Pead, W Simelane |
| Ulster Rugby | E McIlroy, M Lowry, J Hume, B Carson, Z Ward, J Murphy, M Devine, E O’Sullivan, R Herring, K Knox, B Donnell, E Snyman, C Izuchukwu, D McCann, J Augustus | H Walker, T McAllister, S Wilson, H Sheridan, M Moloney, C McKee, J Flannery, C Mullins |
Referee S. Grove-White takes charge of the round-five encounter. With the Stormers defending an unbeaten home record and Ulster fighting to climb out of 13th place, neither side enters the fixture with room for error.