Ulster recorded a bonus-point win over last season’s beaten BKT URC finalists Bulls at Affidea Stadium.
Richie Murphy’s side sat out the action last weekend when their clash against Edinburgh was postponed due to Storm Amy but hit the ground running against a visiting South African side, who had won both of their opening games, including a victory over Leinster.
Stuart McCloskey and Wilco Louw traded first-half tries with the teams tied 7-7 at the break.
However, the hosts punished errors by the Bulls to score three second-half tries through Iain Henderson, Rob Herring and Cormac Izuchukwu, with player of the match Nathan Doak kicking four conversions.
Ulster go on the road to South Africa next for a double-header against Sharks and Lions.
Ulster scored the opening try in the 22nd minute when McCloskey raced onto a punt up field, which he kicked on before diving over.
Ulster hooker Herring was then sent to the sin bin after a series of penalties and the South Africans took full advantage.
Louw barged over and Handre Pollard added the extras, before Doak saw his penalty strike the post as the sides went into the break level at 7-7.
Jeandre Rudolph was shown a yellow card early in the second half and Ulster capitalised on the extra man, as Juarno Augustus finished off a sustained spell of pressure, the South African summer-signing scoring his first try for the club.
Ulster were in full flow as first Herring went over following a line-out maul and then Izuchukwu secured a bonus point when he finished off a fine move after being fed by Dave McCann, who had shown great hands when taking down Jack Murphy’s kick.
The Bulls regrouped and looked to make a strong finish, but Ulster held firm to close out an impressive win ahead of their trip to South Africa to face the Sharks and Lions.
Additional reporting: PA