In an error-strewn opening half, handling errors would halt Stormers’ momentum on a number of occasions and eventually see them punished midway through the opening half.
McCann pounced on a knock-on to get his side on the front foot and although the TMO ruled out a score for Matthew Devine from the subsequent attack, play came back for an offside in the build-up and it was McCann who bundled over with Murphy converting.
A knock-on at the line by Cormac Izuchukwu saw Ulster spurn a glorious opportunity to grab a second just minutes later as momentum flipped with Ulster conceding four-straight penalties – the last of those resulting in Keynan Knox sent to the bin.
Pressure would eventually tell as JD Schickerling powered over and Ahmed added the extras before Paul de Villiers charged down Murphy’s attempted clearance and took advantage to touch down to give Stormers a 12-7 advantage at the half.
Ulster were on the front foot early in the second period, but a blind pass by Devine was gleefully gathered by Roos, who put on the afterburners and galloped away for a converted score.
It left Murphy’s side with a mountain to climb in the Cape Town heat as they could not make their presence felt in the opposite 22, the game played mostly in their own half as both sides continued to make errors.
However, it would finally stick for the hosts as a perfectly-weighted crossfield kick by Ahmed was fielded by team captain Ruhan Nel, who touched down for the bonus point.
Izuchukwu was denied a consolation score when held up over the line which summed up Ulster’s day as the hosts finished with a flourish, Ahmed crossing for a fifth he would convert.
It put a seal on the win for the hosts, with Ulster now left with much to ponder as the first block of URC games comes to a conclusion.
While they continue to produce moments, Murphy’s side are yet to find a fully-rounded display to get their season fully on track.
Stormers: Willemse; Senatla, R Nel (capt), Muller, Zas; Ahmed, Reinach; Mchunu, Paulo, Louw, Smith, Schickerling, De Villiers, L Nel, Roos.
Replacements: Rabe, Matongo, Fouché, Norton, Evans, Mlaba, Pead, Simelane.
Ulster: McIlroy; Lowry, Hume, Carson, Ward; Murphy, Devine; O’Sullivan, Herring, Knox, Donnell, Snyman, Izuchukwu, McCann (capt), Augustus.
Replacements: Walker, McAllister, Wilson, Sheridan, Moloney, McKee, Flannery, Mullins.
Referee: Sam Grove-White
