The province made the perfect start, after some brilliant play from the backline. A flowing move into the Sharks territory started off with a strong carry from Stuart McCloskey, before good interplay between Jack Murphy and Nathan Doak. A shrap pass from Doak found Mike Lowry on his right, with the electric full-back running in for the opening try of the match.
Doak converted for an early 0-7 lead. The scrum-half would extend the lead to 0-10 from the kicking tee, after Ulster's tenacity won them a penalty around the breakdown.
Almost directly after the restart, the Sharks went close to scoring after a bouncing ball caused havoc, but the Sharks try attempt was brilliantly held up by Jacob Stockdale.
On his return to the Shark Tank, Werner Kok came back to haunt his former side, with the winger producing a great piece of individual skill and athleticism to add a second try. Doak again converted to make the score 0-17 with just over twenty minutes on the clock.
Ulster were strong in their defensive work, with David McCann producing a top class jackal turnover to ease the pressure for a while.
The Sharks did get themselves on the board after Springbok skipper, Siya Kolisi, peeled off the home side's powerful lineout maul to score.
Before the half was up, the Sharks were pinged for an offside and Nathan Doak again mastered the tricky winds to slot home a penalty.
At half-time Ulster deserved the lead at 5-20.
HT: Sharks 5-20 Ulster
There was one change at halt-time with Juarno Augustus coming off for Sean Reffell.
Reffell wasted no time to make an early impact, with a brilliant jackal turnover on the Sharks possession.
However, Ulster were forced into a reshuffle, as Reffell was then withdrawn with an injury. Rob Herring took to the field and hooker, Tom Stewart, was forced into doing a job in the back row.
Springbok winger, Makazole Mapimpi, then scored on the wing to lift the home crowd's spirits, with Siya Masuku converting to make the score 12-20.
Prop, Vincent Koch, was shown a yellow card following a dangerous tip tackle on Ulster full-back Mike Lowry.
Shortly after, Ulster made the man advantage count, scoring a brilliant counter attack try through makeshift back-rower, Tom Stewart.
Ulster's backline were heavily involved again, with Lowry, Kok and Doak involved in the quick attack. Doak's grubber kick in behind the Sharks defence allowed Stewart to steam onto the ball and dive down to finish.
Doak again added the conversion for a 12-27 lead.
Michael Lowry was cleaned out in the beginning of the play by Mapimpi and the tackle was then looked at following Stewart's score.
At the time referee Ben Whitehouse showed the winger a yellow card, that would be upgraded to a 20 minute red card following TMO review.
Ulster received a yellow card of their own when Tom O'Toole was pinged following a series of penalties.
From an attacking scrum, the Sharks were then awarded a penalty try as their maul surged over the Ulster tryline.
With things firmly in the balance, Ulster struck the decisive bonus-point try after replacement prop, Callum Reid, was able to burrow his way to the Sharks tryline after a series of attacking phases in the Sharks 22.
Doak again nailed the conversion to lift Ulster into a 19-34 lead with just over ten minutes left on the clock.
A converted try from centre, Andre Esterhuizen, made things nervy towards the end of the match.
Ulster were able to see out the victory, with some clever defending and huge work rate. Flanker, Nick Timoney, made a brilliant turnover with minutes left to grab Ulster possession and see out the clock.
When the final whistle went, Ulster's squad were celebrating a historic win at the Shark Tank that made it three BP wins from three for an impressive start to the 2025-26 season.
Next up for Ulster, Emirates Lions in Round 5 at Ellis Park Stadium, with Ulster aiming to make it four from four.
Scorers
Sharks
TRY: Kolisi, Mapimpi, penalty try, Esterhuizen
CON: Masuku, Jordan Hendrikse
Ulster Rugby
TRY: Lowry, Kok, Stewart, Reid
CON: Doak X4
PEN: Doak x2
United Rugby Championship Player of the Match - Nathan Doak
A great display from the Ulster scrum half, who mastered the kicking game in windy, tricky conditions in Durban.
Doak made two great try assists for Lowry and Stewart, showing his range of skills in passing and kicking. His well taken conversions helped edge the scoreline for Ulster, and pile the pressure on the Sharks.
Teams
Ulster
Sam Crean, Tom Stewart, Scott Wilson, Iain Henderson, (C), Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus; Nathan Doak, Jack Murphy, Jacob Stockdale, Stuart McCloskey, James Hume, Werner Kok, Michael Lowry
Replacements: Rob Herring, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Joe Hopes, Sean Reffell, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Jude Postlethwaite.
Sharks
Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Marvin Orie, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka (C), Phepsi Buthelezi, Grant Williams, Siya Masuku, Makazole Mapimpi, Andre Esterhuizen, Jurenzo Julius, Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe
Replacements: Fez Mbatha, Simphiwe Matanzima, Ruan Dreyer, Bathobele Hlekani, Emmanuel Tshituka, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Lukhanyo Am