Nick Koster was the most influential and naturally gifted young forwards to have played the game in the Republic, according to MARK KEOHANE.

Tributes have continued to flood in after the news that Koster, a former Western Province, Stormers and Bath loose forward, died aged 34.

A schoolboy star at Bishops in Cape Town, Koster captained Western Province U18 in 2006 and 2007, also representing SA Schools in both years.

Writing on his blog keo.co.za, Keohane recalled fond times reporting on Koster’s exploits, and highlighted how fitting it was that his playing career wound down at the prestigious Cambridge University in the UK.

“Koster is a rugby brother in every sense. The Bishops No 8 was at his brilliant best as a schoolboy and a Junior Springbok, and finished his career captaining Cambridge University as an amateur,” he writes.

KEO: A celebration of – and a tribute to – Nick Koster #RIP

“Koster was a sensation as a schoolboy rugby player. In the past decade I got a taste of Damian Willemse, given his consistent explosiveness for Paul Roos. He was special as a schoolboy, and will be as special as a Springbok.

“But specific to forwards, since 1992, I had never witnessed a talent as natural, as brilliant, as explosive, as influential and as rugby bright as Nick Koster.

“He retired as an amateur winner, as he had started in his glorious schoolboy career.

#RIP Nick Koster – and thank you for those mornings at the Piley Rees and wherever you roamed the Cape in winter. You were the best 18 year-old schoolboy rugby player I have ever seen.”

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images