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Cape Town – Nick Koster will have his first taste of rugby in more than a year when he runs out at right wing for Western Province in Saturday’s Vodacom Cup match against the SWD Eagles at Florida Park.
Province’s fly-half acquisition Lionel Cronjé will also be making his debut for the team. Cronjé played for the Stormers off their substitute’s bench earlier in this year’s Super 14, but was suspended after getting involved in a brawl in the early hours following their victory over the Hurricanes.
Koster last played on March 14 last year when he tore knee ligaments in the Stormers’ win over the Lions at Newlands.
“I’m starting from scratch and people must not expect that I will be the same player that I was before straight away,” Koster told Sport24.
“I am not physically up there just yet, but am 100% sure that I will be a better player than before after a few games.
“I’ve grown a lot as a person over the last year and am mentally much stronger. I can’t explain to people what I have been through and am very excited to be back on the field.”
Koster was virtually fit in November last year, but then developed a problem with cartilage in the same knee and had to undergo another operation.
The 21-year-old arrived on the scene as an exciting loose forward, but the Stormers utilised him as a wing last year.
“I will see how it goes on the wing and make a decision later in the season about where I will play for the rest of my career,” said Koster.
He mentioned that it may even be an option to move to centre.
“I will chat to Rassie Erasmus (WP’s director of coaching) as soon as the Stormers return. I respect him a lot and his input will play a big role.”
Koster is playing in place of JJ Engelbrecht. Coach Jerome Paarwater said that Engelbrecht would be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
Cronje’s inclusion means that Conrad Hoffmann will play scrumhalf and that Dustin Jinka will be on the bench.
The WP team:
Visser, Nick Koster, Dylan des Fountain, Morgan Newman, Johann Sadie, Lionel Cronjé, Conrad Hoffmann, Jody Birch, Yaya Hartzenberg, Pieter Myburgh, Martin Muller, Hugo Kloppers, Buhle Mxunyelwa, Hanyani Shimange (captain), Michael De Neuilly-Rice.
Substitutes: Callie Visagie, Ruan Smith, Stephan Greeff, Tertius Daniller, Dustin Jinka, Paul Bosch, Danie Poolman.
Cape Town – Nick Koster will have his first taste of rugby in more than a year when he runs out at right wing for Western Province in Saturday’s Vodacom Cup match against the SWD Eagles at Florida Park.
Province’s fly-half acquisition Lionel Cronjé will also be making his debut for the team. Cronjé played for the Stormers off their substitute’s bench earlier in this year’s Super 14, but was suspended after getting involved in a brawl in the early hours following their victory over the Hurricanes.
Koster last played on March 14 last year when he tore knee ligaments in the Stormers’ win over the Lions at Newlands.
“I’m starting from scratch and people must not expect that I will be the same player that I was before straight away,” Koster told Sport24.
“I am not physically up there just yet, but am 100% sure that I will be a better player than before after a few games.
“I’ve grown a lot as a person over the last year and am mentally much stronger. I can’t explain to people what I have been through and am very excited to be back on the field.”
Koster was virtually fit in November last year, but then developed a problem with cartilage in the same knee and had to undergo another operation.
The 21-year-old arrived on the scene as an exciting loose forward, but the Stormers utilised him as a wing last year.
“I will see how it goes on the wing and make a decision later in the season about where I will play for the rest of my career,” said Koster.
He mentioned that it may even be an option to move to centre.
“I will chat to Rassie Erasmus (WP’s director of coaching) as soon as the Stormers return. I respect him a lot and his input will play a big role.”
Koster is playing in place of JJ Engelbrecht. Coach Jerome Paarwater said that Engelbrecht would be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
Cronje’s inclusion means that Conrad Hoffmann will play scrumhalf and that Dustin Jinka will be on the bench.
The WP team:
Visser, Nick Koster, Dylan des Fountain, Morgan Newman, Johann Sadie, Lionel Cronjé, Conrad Hoffmann, Jody Birch, Yaya Hartzenberg, Pieter Myburgh, Martin Muller, Hugo Kloppers, Buhle Mxunyelwa, Hanyani Shimange (captain), Michael De Neuilly-Rice.
Substitutes: Callie Visagie, Ruan Smith, Stephan Greeff, Tertius Daniller, Dustin Jinka, Paul Bosch, Danie Poolman.
