Ulster Rugby has confirmed 29 players and 13 support staff were struck down by illness which forced the postponement of their game against the Sharks on Saturday.
Ulster's medical team confirmed the numbers of those who were unwell in Durban in the lead up to the United Rugby Championship clash.
The statement also revealed independent medical testing confirmed both E. coli and Norovirus in tested samples.
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Ulster said: "all precautionary medical, nutritional, and Public Health advice was adhered to prior to any member of the travelling group falling ill, and that the on-ground Ulster Rugby Medical team took all actions possible to prevent the spread amongst players and staff during the week".
Ulster had hoped to become the first northern hemisphere side to win back-to-back games in South Africa following their victory over the Lions last weekend.
Attention will now turn to facing Munster next Saturday, with the squad set to return to Belfast on Monday.
“We came to Durban with our sights set on doing what, to this point, no other team in the URC has managed to do – the double in South Africa,” said head coach Dan McFarland.
"This was going to be a huge challenge but exactly the type of challenge, as competitors, we look for.
“The win versus the Lions was a big physical challenge, and I was proud of the way the guys fronted. I am also proud of the way both support staff and players have worked throughout these two weeks.
“We are used to travelling to South Africa and what it requires, and this level of sickness was unprecedented. Whilst staying in Durban, 29 players and 13 support staff were hit with BOTH E. coli and Norovirus.
"It’s disappointing, especially given how unwell our group was, that some chose to question the reasoning for our game to be postponed, as we have invested a lot as a group and an organisation in getting this fixture played.
“With players and staff now recovering, we are focused on getting home to start preparations for our upcoming Interpro fixture at Thomond Park.”
The Glasgow Warriors' game against Emirates Lions was also called off after a similar outbreak of illness was reported in the travelling Scottish camp.
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