WIEHAHN’S WARNING

ULSTER prop Wiehahn Herbst is ready for an ‘interesting’ challenge from a wounded Cheetahs in Bloemfontein tonight.

While the Irish province has kicked off the season with three straight wins, the South African side are rooted to the bottom of Conference A with a solitary point.

Last Saturday they were hammered 52-24 by the Glasgow Warriors in their own backyard and Ulster defence coach Jared Payne has warned of a “pretty nasty kickback”.

Herbst is equally wary, particularly in the high altitude of a city lying 1,400m above sea level.

The South African said: “The Cheetahs take pride in their home ground, so it will definitely be interesting – and at altitude, when they start throwing the ball around it will be a difficult one.

“But we are well prepared, so hopefully we can do a job.”

While Herbst (above) has relished being back on home soil – “it’s nice to see the African sun again and some proper meat” – he also values the bonding benefits of an overseas trip.

“We’ve had time to get to know each other in a different environment,” said Herbst. “Everyone is sitting around talking and learning from each other a bit more.”

Ulster coach Dan Mcfarland has made six changes to the team that beat the Kings 28-7 in Port Elizabeth.

ULSTER: Addison; Gilroy, Speight, Mccloskey, Kernohan; Burns, Shanahan; O’sullivan, Herring (c), Herbst; O’connor, Treadwell; Rea, Reidy, Coetzee.