Another good passage of play from Ulster, but ultimately they come up short once more.

After some offloads in the tackle they find themselves just two-metres out from the Stormers line but Rob Herring knock-on when it looked like he was set to score.

The Stormers have had very little possession but have been ruthless hence the scoreline.

See how the Stormers took an early lead through back-rower Evan Roos' second-minute try.

John Cooney thinks he is in for a try, but referee Andrea Piardi calls play back after Kieran Treadwell tackles a Stormers player beyond the ruck preventing him from covering Cooney.

More infringements in midfield for the Stormers and Ulster's Jack Murphy again pegs them back in their 22.

Some nice play from Ulster as they spread play out wide right, via Jacob Stockdale and Nick Timoney to 200-cap man Stuart McCloskey. But the Bangor bulldozer is tackled into touch.

More promising.

Another penaltyfor the hosts as they maul the ball from the penalty lineout.

Jack Murphy brings play towards the Stormers 22 with a fine kick.

Can Ulster grab something back once more?

Scrum penalty for the Stormers as they demolish Ulster.

Into the corner they kick.

But Ulster escape as the Stormers give away a silly penalty for crossing in the lineout.

The Stormers have not had to do an awful lot fopr such a convincing lead. Ulster are coughing up possession at every turn.

Now, Rob Herring throws a skewed lineout close to their own line, scrum Stormers.

Ulster again caught playing fast and loose.

John Cooney is charged down while kicking at the base of a ruck and the Stormers almost dash clear.

Leolin Zas throwing a forward pass just five-metres out from the home line. A lucky escape.

Super drop-goal from fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu from distance.

Dream start from the Cape Town men

So what do Richie Murphy's side do now?

An awful start in what is a must-win game for Ulster, with only one of their remaining four games at home after tonight.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu of the Stormers gets us going here in Belfast.

Ulster back row James McNabney said "it was a bit surreal" to be included as a development player in Ireland's Six Nations squad.

The 22-year-old debuted for his province last season after making 14 appearances for the Ireland Under-20s.

His inclusion for Ireland's pre-championship training camp in Portugal was his first involvement with the senior national side and came after a string of impressive performances at Kingspan Stadium.

The call-up was a surprise to the player himself, however, who struggled to believe the news when he heard while working on the family farm.

"I was actually just finished putting in silage with the telehandler and I looked at my phone and saw I got the email," said McNabney.

"I wasn't sure it was true and I had to have a good look to make sure it was legitimate because I didn't think I'd be on the radar for something like that."

Read more here.

Image source, Inpho

Centre Stuart McCloskey says the milestone of his 200th Ulster outing this weekend has "crept up on him".

The 32-year-old, who made his senior debut against Dragons in 2014, will become the 11th player to hit the mark for the province when he takes the field against the Stormers at Kingspan Stadium in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Friday night.

"It's very special," said the 19-times capped Irish international.

"It's not something I've really thought about an awful lot until my dad reminded me at the start of the week and I thought 'Oh, flip'. It's really crept up on me.

"There's some amazing players in there, some guys I've played with for most of my career, so it'll be nice to join them."

Read more here.

Image source, Inpho

Richie Murphy has been forced into a late change this evening.

Ulster centre, James Hume, is out through illness, with Ben Carson being promoted from the bench.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy says Robert Baloucoune is looking "really sharp" as he prepares to make his comeback from injury.

The wing, who has four caps for Ireland, has not featured this season because of a hamstring problem with his last outing coming against Benetton in April.

"It's been a tough year for him, it's more than 11 months that he's been out," said Murphy of the 27-year-old.

"He's through a couple of weeks training and he's starting to look really sharp.

"It's brilliant to have him back in."

Image source, Inpho

Robert Baloucoune's inclusion for the first time this season is one of five Ulster changes from the last-gasp win over Dragons.

After a long recovery from a hamstring injury, Ireland wing Baloucoune is named at right wing as Stuart Moore drops out of the backline with Michael Lowry switching to full-back.

John Cooney, who will depart Ulster at the end of the season to join French club Brive, starts at scrum-half with Nathan Doak relegated to the bench.

Fit-again Andrew Warwick replaces Callum Reid at loose-head prop with the other forwards changes the inclusion of lock Kieran Treadwell and back row Matty Rea in place of Matthew Dalton and James McNabney.

Rea's selection means that David McCann switches from flanker to number eight.

Reid and McNabney are named on a replacements bench that includes fit-again hooker Tom Stewart.

Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey will be making his 200th Ulster appearance in Friday's contest.

Ulster: Michael Lowry; Rob Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole; Alan O'Connor (capt), Kieran Treadwell; Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, David McCann.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Ben Carson, Zac Ward.

DHL Stormers: Damian Willemse, Ben Loader, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Dan du Plessis, Leolin Zas, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Dewaldt Duvenage, Ali Vermaak, Joseph Dweba, Neethling Fouche (CAPT), Connor Evans, Ruben van Heerden, Dave Ewers, Marcel Theunissen, Evan Roos

Replacements: Andre-Hugo Venter, Brok Harris, Sazi Sandi, Gary Porter, Willie Engelbrecht, Paul de Wet, Jurie Matthee, Wandisile Simelane