Ulster now 'family' for Kok as he faces old club

'The Shark Tank' may have been Werner Kok's home for four years, but Ulster is now his "family" as he gets set to take on his old club in the URC on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Kok played for the Sharks from 2020-2024 and lined out on the wing when Ulster claimed a 31-24 on their last visit to Kings Park, but there is no question of divided loyalties as he seeks to continue Ulster's flying start to the new season.

It will likely be the 32-year-old's first appearance of the new season as Storm Amy deprived him of action against Edinburgh a fortnight ago when selected on the wing for a game that was ultimately postponed.

Returning to face his old club would be a fitting way to kick-start his own season and although he is not expecting an easy ride in the heat and humidity of Durban, the challenge is one he is looking forward to.

"I'm really excited to be able to play at the 'Shark Tank' again and against some old mates, but rivals now," he said.

"The guys here will always be good friends, good brothers, good family, but Ulster is my family at the moment and whenever we step onto that pitch it's the guys around me in the white jersey, and we're going to push to win it.

"I will expect a bit of abuse from the side and on the pitch will be the same thing. The Sharks will talk quite a bit and they will get energy out of it but when we finish the game it will be fine.

"To get an opportunity to play again is phenomenal so for me it's just get onto the pitch, stay calm, do my job, and then hopefully come away with a win."

Ulster made it back-to-back bonus point wins on Saturday against the Bulls as three quickfire ties in the second half put the South African club away.

However, this two-game tour to South Africa will bring different challenges with a trip to Johannesburg to face the Lions to follow.

Kok expects his former club will be "a little bit more expansive and unpredictable" than the Bulls were in Belfast, but believes Ulster are capable of repeating their 2023 win.

"They play with a lot of offloads and have a different defensive system where they rush the ball.

"Set-pieces are still going to be a big test as they have a big pack with the international players. If we stick to our game-plan and move them about a bit, I'm sure we can come away with a 'W'.

"Going away from home is when a team really gets tested and going to the Sharks, playing against a team that will probably be loaded with Springboks coming off a good international window will be a great test. The Bulls, for me the top team in South Africa, to be able to beat them at home, gives us a lot of confidence going into this weekend."

Rob Baloucoune and Zac Ward started on the wings last weekend with Jacob Stockdale - who played at full-back on Saturday - on the opposite wing from Ward in the opening victory against the Dragons.

Kok believes that competition for places is a positive and can help Ulster push on this season.

"If you have healthy competition in your team, it's a good thing," he said.

"To have them in the team, makes it so much easier to rotate the players as you know when you get an opportunity, you have to give your all as the guy stepping into that position is going to do a good job.

"That pushes me to be a better player and hopefully I can them them be better players too."