Do these names ring a bell in your ears, Ralph Nicolas Koster? Or maybe when i say, Nick Koster, then maybe you might have a rough idea on who i"m talking about. The ex Bishops headboy and No8 who made SA schools in 2006 and 2007, the first ever Bishops boy to make it since the days on Herchelle Gibbs in 2004. At 110kg, this fellow runs 100m in 10.8seconds and was the fastest in this event in 2007 in the whole province. This young bloke was the top try scorer in the province, with over 38 tries in the 2007 SA school's season.
What a great turnaround. Last year, this fellow played for Bishops against Paarl Boys in a curtain raiser match for WP vs Bulls at Newlands. Fast forward that, and six months later, he actually made his provincial debut for WP against Boland last weekend, in match that Bishops and Paarl were curtain raising. This time he was watching that game closely sitting next to AJ and Bobo on the WP players suite. What a fairy tale, especially if u consider that he"s just turned 19 and already he"s being earmaked as the next big thing in the region after Schalk Burger, but with more flair and pace. Nick Mallet and Jake White have pinpointed him as the next big thing in South African rugby, having signed a provincial contract at a tender age of 16.
What a great turnaround. Last year, this fellow played for Bishops against Paarl Boys in a curtain raiser match for WP vs Bulls at Newlands. Fast forward that, and six months later, he actually made his provincial debut for WP against Boland last weekend, in match that Bishops and Paarl were curtain raising. This time he was watching that game closely sitting next to AJ and Bobo on the WP players suite. What a fairy tale, especially if u consider that he"s just turned 19 and already he"s being earmaked as the next big thing in the region after Schalk Burger, but with more flair and pace. Nick Mallet and Jake White have pinpointed him as the next big thing in South African rugby, having signed a provincial contract at a tender age of 16.
I first heard about this youngster in 2006 when he made the SA schools side but only got to watch him last year at the craven week in Stellies. All i could see was this bulky no8 running a 60m dash from his 22, bulldozing through the Border defence to score a magnificant try. Thats when i began to watch him closely.
A good friend of mine, and renowned rugby analyst and talent scout, NK indicated last week after the WP vs Boland game that Nick Koster would be playing Super rugby next year for the Stormers. Rassie seems to have already worked out where this youngster will feature in his plans. With Ross Skeate leaving for France and Francois Van Der Merwe having left already, the Stormers will lack depth in the no5 position and therefore with the new ELVs in place, the 1.98m stalwart maye used in that position at some stages in the game at that position, even though his prefer position is on the loose trio. This already closes the door for the vastly talented and hardworking UCT lock, Rito Hlungwani who has been battling to command game time in this year's Currie Cup campaign. Too bad coz WP will soon lose him to other franchises in the country.
Nick Koster came on the bench in the WP defeat to the Lions yesterday and scored and brilliant try. The handling was spectacular and the support play was awesome. This was his first try in the Competition and was reminiscent of Schalla 4 years ago when he burst into the scence as a try scoring machine for WP in this same competition. Schalla later on went to win the IRB Player of the Year in 2004. Nick has similar physical presence as Schalla and he's got good breakdown skills, good hands and pace, which makes him more lethal. This youngster is really destined for great things and he's lucky to be under the great guidance of the DJ Rassie. I see him in the Bok team soon, actually he could be in the end of year tour if he plays well in the Currie Cup season.
As much as we have talented no8s in Spies, Kanko, Duanne etc., Nick is a special player with special qualities....this youngster is a real MONSTER.........watch the space.....
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