The 34-year-old, originally from Robertson, gained prominence as a standout rugby player during his school days at Bishops, primarily excelling as a number eight. His talent was evident as he represented Western Province in the 2006 and 2007 Craven Week tournaments held in Johannesburg and Stellenbosch, respectively, where he made a significant impact as part of the scrum.
While his team, Western Province, didn’t secure victories in the Craven Week finals during those years, his individual performance didn’t go unnoticed. Despite facing defeat in the 2007 final against a formidable Free State team, Koster’s contributions to the impressive Bishops’ squads of 2006 and 2007 solidified his status as a beloved figure among fans.
His exceptional skills earned him a place in the South African Schools team for two consecutive years, notably playing alongside future Springboks Patrick Lambie and Coenie Oosthuizen in 2007. Koster’s rapid ascent continued as he made his Currie Cup debut for Western Province at just 19 years old in 2008, followed by his debut for the Stormers the following year. After his stint in the Cape, he moved to Bath in 2012 before concluding his professional rugby career at Bristol in 2017.
Upon news of his passing, his former teams, including the Stormers, Bath, and Bristol, all paid tribute to his legacy. Western Province Rugby expressed their sadness at his loss, acknowledging his immense talent and the significant impact he made during his time with the team, both at youth and senior levels.
