Ulster slipped to defeat against the Sharks after Jordan Hendrikse landed a last-gasp penalty to earn the visitors a dramatic victory as the South Africans battled back having trailed 19-0 at Kingspan Stadium.
Ulster, who scored first-half tries by Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite and Nathan Doak, were pointless after the half-hour mark as the Sharks gradually reeled them in to badly damage the 12th-placed province's play-off hopes.
After just six minutes, Ulster had their first try through Murphy. Jacob Stockdale raced through and Cormac Izuchukwu was the provider for Murphy. The fly-half missed the conversion as Ulster led 5-0.
Jack Murphy grabs the first try of the game for Ulster against the Sharks #URC #ULSvSHA pic.twitter.com/uL5fK8iRNa
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 26, 2025
Ulster then scored again, a ball hacked downfield by Doak was collected by Zac Ward and Postlethwaite ran in. This time Murphy converted for a 12-0 lead.
Ulster add another try via Jude Postlethwaite after sloppy Sharks play#URC #ULSvSHA pic.twitter.com/fHO9lkCMEa
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 26, 2025
In the 31st minute, Ulster had their third try when Stockdale's collected his own chip and though he could probably have made the line himself, he threw an inside pass to Nathan Doak to race over under the posts. Murphy added the two points and Ulster led 19-0.
Ulster's Nathan Doak puts the finishing touches to a try created by Jacob Stockdale. #URC #ULSvSHA pic.twitter.com/ygAkkoNsBt
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 26, 2025
The South Africans responded with a try by Makazole Mapimpi, which went unconverted by Hendrikse.
Stand-in full-back Stockdale was then sin binned in the 33rd minute, reducing Ulster to 14.
The half ended with Ulster leading 19-5, even though the Sharks worked Mapimpi over for a second time, but his effort was ruled out for a forward pass.
Sharks captain Siya Kolisi on how his side reeled in Ulster and their 19-0 lead to prevail 22-19. #URC #ULSvSHA pic.twitter.com/XjmIF6oPWp
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 26, 2025
After 60 minutes and on penalty advantage, Manu Tshituka smashed through near the posts. Hendrikse converted to cut Ulster's lead to seven points.
It was all Sharks now and in the 69th minute replacement centre Jurenzo Julius weaved through a tiring Ulster defence to dot down at the posts, allowing Hendrikse to convert and level at 19-19.
The hosts were unable to gain a foothold after this and after 77 minutes the inevitable happened when Hendrikse slotted the winning penalty, leaving Ulster with the scant consolation of a losing bonus point.
Ulster's player of the match Jacob Stockdale takes the opportunity to pay tribute to team-mates who are moving on at the end of the season. #URC #ULSvSHA pic.twitter.com/hLgbXiOmdd
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 26, 2025
