Former Bath and Stormers player Nick Koster dies aged 34

Former Western Province, Bath and Bristol back row Nick Koster has passed away aged 34, according to Bath and Bristol websites.

The South African came through Western Province, making his Currie Cup debut in 2008 as a 19-year-old at No.8, before going on to represent the Stormers in Super Rugby.

Koster joined Bath in 2012, making 11 appearances for the club before joining Bristol in 2013, quickly becoming a fan favourite. He spent four years with Bristol making 62 appearances and was shortlisted for Community Player of the Season in 2017 for his work with the club’s Community Foundation.

He joined Cambridge University in 2017, captaining the team while studying for a Masters in Social Innovation.

A Bath statement reads: "Everyone at Bath Rugby would like to extend their heartfelt sympathies to Nick's family, friends and teammates.

"He will be sorely missed and will always remain part of the Bath Rugby family."

A Bristol statement reads: "Our thoughts, prayers and love are with Nick’s wife Jeannie and his two young children."

Gary Gold, who worked with Koster at Bath and the Stormers, described him as "One of the best schoolboy rugby players to have ever played the game and an outstanding person and friend."

Koster's former Bath teammate Matt Banahan paid tribute by calling him "one of the nicest guys to ever pull on the Bath jersey," while his former Bristol teammate Jamal Ford-Robinson said he was "genuinely one of the nicest and most humble blokes I've come across in life."