Despite only meeting for the first time last season, a fierce rivalry is already brewing between Ulster and the Stormers. On two occasions - in the regular season and URC playoffs - the sides met in South Africa and the Stormers edged out narrow victories in each game.
Friday night's game will be the first time the sides meet in Belfast, offering Ulster the chance to get their first win over the South Africans and some redemption for last year's heartbreak.
Want to be there for the big game? Tickets for the mouth-watering clash can be found below:
Form Guide
The Stormers head into the match on the back of two wins in the Heineken Champions Cup, beating London Irish away 14-28 and backing that up with a 30-16 home victory against ASM Clermont Auvergne last weekend.
The South African team currently sit second in the URC table and will be looking to close the gap on Leinster at the summit.
Ulster will be aiming take forward momentum from Saturday's crucial Heineken Champions Cup victory against Sale Sharks into the URC this week.
Ulster sit in fourth position in the URC table and will seek to potentially leapfrog the Vodacom Bulls into third place with a win.
Last Time Out
Last June, the Ulstermen were narrowly defeated in the semi finals of last season's URC by the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, with the home team winning 17-15 at the death.
It was heartbreaking for Ulster and its supporters, as the breakthrough was made in the 84th minute with no time for Ulster to reply.
Ulster had made an incredible effort and had held a five point lead for over 40 minutes but came up just short.
The Kitshoff Link
Current Stormers captain and World Cup winning Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff will be joining Ulster after this year's Rugby World Cup.
At the time of the announcement, Kitshoff said:
“It’s clear that Ulster is on an exciting journey, and it’s one that I want to be a part of. With some big wins recently, it’s my ambition to be part of the squad that takes that next step and secures silverware for the province.
“I’m really looking forward to making the move to Belfast next year. It’s going to be a change, but I know, from everything I’ve heard, that when I line out for the first time in front of a home crowd at Kingspan Stadium in an Ulster jersey, it’s going to be a really special moment.”
Did you know?
- Ulster have won all six home games they have played against South African opponents in the Championship
- DHL Stormers five game winning run in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship ended with their 17-24 defeat at Glasgow in Round 12
- Stormers have not won outside of South Africa in the Championship since their trip to Zebre in early October.
- The South Africans have won their last four fixtures against Irish provinces.