Stormers overpower Ulster 33-7 in Cape Town to leave Ulster winless after five URC rounds

Stormers defeated Ulster 33-7 in Cape Town in the United Rugby Championship on 31 October 2026, handing the hosts five tries and four conversions from Mohammed Ahmed. Ulster remain without a win after their opening five URC fixtures, having recorded three defeats and two draws.

Ulster travelled to South Africa for the second game of their tour following last week's defeat by the Bulls in Pretoria and went into the match without their Ireland contingent, who reported back before November's Nations Championship fixtures. That absence left gaps to fill but David McCann produced Ulster's only try after pouncing on a knock-on, keeping his side competitive for stretches of an error-strewn contest.

The first half featured several handling mistakes from both teams before Ulster took the lead when McCann bundled over and Tom Murphy converted. Cormac Izuchukwu spilled a chance at the line minutes later, Ulster then conceded four straight penalties with Keynan Knox sin-binned, and JD Schickerling crossed for the Stormers before Paul de Villiers charged down Murphy's clearance to score, giving Stormers a 12-7 interval advantage.

Ulster started the second period positively but a blind pass from Matthew Devine was intercepted by Evan Roos, who raced away for a converted score that extended the Stormers' lead. The match was played largely in Ulster's half thereafter as both sides continued to make errors, making sustained Ulster pressure in the Stormers' 22 rare.

Stormers secured the try bonus when a crossfield kick from Ahmed was collected by captain Ruhan Nel, who touched down to make the scoreline more emphatic. Cormac Izuchukwu was held up over the line shortly afterwards, and Ahmed completed the scoring with a fifth Stormers try which he converted, sealing the 33-7 victory.

Tries: Schickerling, De Villiers, Roos, R Nel, Ahmed. Conversions: Ahmed 4.

Stormers: Willemse; Senatla, R Nel (capt), Muller, Zas; Ahmed, Reinach; Mchunu, Paulo, Louw, Smith, Schickerling, De Villiers, L Nel, Roos. Replacements: Rabe, Matongo, Fouché, Norton, Evans, Mlaba, Pead, Simelane.

Ulster: McIlroy; Lowry, Hume, Carson, Ward; Murphy, Devine; O'Sullivan, Herring, Knox, Donnell, Snyman, Izuchukwu, McCann (capt), Augustus. Replacements: Walker, McAllister, Wilson, Sheridan, Moloney, McKee, Flannery, Mullins.

Ulster must wait until their visit to Cardiff on 5 December for their next chance to record an opening league win in this season's URC.