Beloved rugby star Nick Koster dies at 34

South-African-born rugby player Nick Koster has passed away aged just 34

Currently, the cause of death has not been announced.

Koster spent a large part of his professional career playing for English side Bristol Bears. The club has released a statement regarding Koster’s passing. The club have said, “Our thoughts, prayers and love are with Nick’s wife Jeannie and his two young children.”

Koster also spent time at Bath during his playing career, with club saying, “He will be sorely missed and will always remain part of the Bath Rugby family.”

Gary Gold, who coached Koster whilst he was at Bath released a statement saying, “One of the best schoolboy rugby players to have ever played the game and an outstanding person and friend.”

Former Bath and England winger Matt Banahan, who played with Koster at Bath said, “one of the nicest guys to ever pull on the Bath jersey,” in an Instagram statement.

Another former teammate, Jamal Ford-Robinson also posted his own tribute to Koster in which he said, “absolutely gutted to hear about Nick Koster. Genuinely one of the nicest and most humble blokes i've come across in life.”

Nick Koster came through the schoolboy rugby system in South Africa, culminating in a standout performance at the legendary Craven Week.

Aged just 19, Koster made his Currie Cup (South African provincial competition) debut, playing as a number eight for Western Province.

The same yet Koster broke into the Western Province side, he was selected to play for the Barbarians against Australia at Wembley.

Following a serious knee injury that curtailed his early career, Koster made the move to England where he played for both Bath and Bristol.

Following his spell at Bristol, Koster made the decision to step away from the professional game and return to university. He enrolled at Cambridge University to study a Master's in Social Innovation.

During his time at the university, Koster would bring his professional rugby experience to the university’s rugby team. Playing for them through the 2018 season as their captain.

Koster was passionate about charity work, partnering with Project Zulu, with the goal to raise funds for the Madadeni township in South Africa.

Whilst at Bristol, Koster worked with young people in the city as part of the Bristo RFC Community Initiative.

Koster was proud of his heritage, which showed during his time at Bristol as he arranged for the South African choir to sing on the pitch at halftime during a game.