Ulster headed off to their South African mission, hoping to bounce back from a disappointing defeat against Glasgow Warriors, that saw the province looking over their shoulder in third place in the URC table with the top six teams all lurking in the background waiting to pounce.
The away side were swapping the baltic cold temperatures of Belfast for the balmy climate of South Africa, with little time to prepare for the turnaround between games.
In a frantic match, Ulster emerged the victors, winning by 7 points in the 'Shark Tank'.
Speaking after the win, Ulster's Head Coach Dan McFarland said he was extremely proud of his players for their efforts in challenging conditions.
"The conditions were very humid and something we aren’t used to so the lads found it tough."
McFarland says that the squad found it tougher than the previous South Africa trip back in October, where Ulster beat the Lions by two points in a 37-39 contest.
The Head Coach added "Given the physical constraints, the travel we had, to come out for a single game, the lads can be very proud."
He especially singled out the work of Ulster's forwards, whose driving mauls proved a weapon that the Sharks struggled to get to grips with.
Mcfarland said that the team had identified areas of improvement in the Glasgow game and worked on them.
"Roddy Grant (Forwards Coach) and the forwards were gnashing teeth in training last week.
Glasgow did a good job and we were well sub par in the forward pack. The hammer was put on themselves against a big sharks pack, we dominated and that’s what got us out in front."
Ulster showed remarkable grit and determination in the Hollywoodbets King's Park stadium through the match but perhaps none more than the URC Player of the Match, scrum half John Cooney.
Cooney's clam and measured kicking from conversions kept the province on top, proving vital at times when the Sharks had a whiff of Ulster blood.
The Dublin sharpshooter said that the result was vital for Ulster given their position especially getting into the business end of the season.
"We are the first Northern Hemisphere team to do the double against South African teams away, so its great for us to get a bonus point win and get five points after last week.
In terms of our season its probably going to be season defining for us, so it's huge."
🏅 @JCooney09 pic.twitter.com/ZQ13Ct3ubQ
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) February 25, 2023
Cooney's kicking accuracy and in- game management were hailed by fans and pundits as being critical in closing out the win against the home side. However Ulster's Head Coach was glowing about another Ulster player, world cup winning springbok, Duane Vermeulen, who was made captain in his homeland.
McFarland explained why he chose to give the powerful flanker the armband for the test.
"The fact that we were coming to a part of the world where Duane is from, his influence on others and his understanding of south African rugby, we felt it was a great opportunity to use that role as captain.
Alan O'Connor does what Al does every week anyway leading us out but Duane puts the fear of god into some south africans."
It showed how well appreciated the Ulster player is as he was applauded off the field when replaced showing the affection the Durban crowd have for their world cup winner.
McFarland believes the 36 year old year old can be a great option for South Africa at the world cup calling him "the best mauler in the world."
For now, Vermeulen and the squad will head back to Belfast with five points in the bag and an eye on Cardiff for their next away scalp.