Ulster showed glimpses of the damage they can do to hurt sides, but lost out to a Sharks side who had the edge during the physically draining encounter in Durban.
In interim Head Coach Richie Murphy's opening match the province started off well, with an early Harry Sheridan try good reward for their periods of possession. John Cooney converted the try for an early 0-7 lead.
The hosts levelled the score through Phepsi Buthelezi, after a good kick into the Ulster 22 wasn't gathered and the Sharks attacker punished Ulster. Siya Masuka converted to make the score level.
Ulster showed their defensive work rate before the half was out and through some stubborn defending, especially around the scrum, the province went into half time on level terms despite the Sharks pressure.
The hosts made a fast start to the second half, with the wind picking up a bit in the stadium.
Six minutes in they scored their second try through winger, Keyter, who kicked through and tocuhed the ball down for the score. The referee and TMO looked at the score, as Keyter failed to gather the ball with his hands but they were satisfied that the on-field decision stood.
Masuka's conversion put the score at 14-7.
The fly-half would extend the score minutes later to 17-7 after nailing a penalty in front of the posts.
Ulster showed fighting spirit to not let the setbacks stop them. After a TMO check, Kieran Treadwell, got his reward after driving to the line and spinning down to dot the ball down after a well-worked lineout in the Sharks 22. John Cooney''s conversion went wide, with the wind pulling the kick left of the posts.
Like the temperature in the air, things started to get hot tempered, with scuffles breaking out following Iain Henderson's high tackle that saw the skipper get a sin-bin. James Hume and Vincent Tshituka were also pinged with yellows for their flare up.
With a man extra, the Sharks captain, Bongi Mbonambi, powered over after a lineout to seal victory for the Sharks.
Ulster never stopped trying in the match but had little to show for their efforts, in what was a brutal battle in Durban.
The result leaves Ulster in sixth place in the BKT URC table.
Focus now for Ulster will turn to Cape Town, with a trip to face DHL Stormers next weekend.
Scorers
Hollywoodbets Sharks
TRY: Butelezi, Keyter, Mbonambi
CON: Masuka x2
PEN: Masuka
Ulster Rugby
TRY Sheridan, Treadwell
CON: Cooney
Teams
Ulster:
(15-9) Will Addison, Ethan McIlroy, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Mike Lowry, Billy Burns, John Cooney;
(1-8) Steven Kitshoff, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (C), Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Scott Wilson, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, Jude Postlethwaite, Sean Reffell.
Hollywoodbets Sharks
(15-9) Aphelele Fassi, Eduan Keyter, Lukhanyo Am (C), Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Siya Masuku, Jaden Hendrikse
(1-8) Ntuthuko Mchunu, Bongi Mbonambi, Hanro Jacobs, Eben Etzebeth, Gerbrandt Grobler, Phepsi Buthelezi, Vincent Tshituka, George Cronje