Ulster's South Africa trip comes too soon for Iain Henderson, but James Hume set for return

Ulster have confirmed a 33-man squad for their two-game tour of South Africa, with captain Iain Henderson missing out as he continues his recovery from thumb surgery in the off-season.

The lock is yet to feature for the province in the new campaign, having said he was targeting an October return from his surgery at the season launch last month.

And with Henderson absent from Dan McFarland's squad for the games against the Emirates Lions and Cell C Sharks, it looks like his earliest possible return will be their BKT United Rugby Championship trip to Munster on the 29th of this month.

In good news, James Hume is in line for his first appearance of the season in the coming weeks.

The centre has been out since suffering a groin injury while in New Zealand with Ireland this summer, but is named in the province's touring squad.

The group departed for Johannesburg this afternoon, taking on the Lions this Saturday at Ellis Park, before travelling to Durban to face the Sharks next week.

A group of 23 players left Belfast today, with 10 others set to meet them in South Africa, having been part of the Emerging Ireland series in recent weeks.

New signing Rory Sutherland is included, the loosehead joining the province for the rest of the season after being released by Worcester Warriors, who have gone into administration.

Kieran Treadwell has also been included, although he won't feature this weekend, having suffered a chest injury against the Ospreys on Saturday.

Marty Moore is also part of the travelling squad, with his availability to be determined, as he follows the return to play protocols for a concussion.

Ulster squad

Forwards: John Andrew, Sam Carter, Rob Herring, Gareth Milasinovich, Martin Moore, Jordi Murphy, Eric O'Sullivan, Tom