Future Springbok No.7 or 8?

Nick Koster

Yesterday we (Brian, Bess, Mum, Rich and I) went down to Swansea for the day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We went to The Mumbles and had an ice-cream and a play on the beach, then we had a walk around the park and Bess had her first proper go on a bouncy castle (she hasn't quite got the hang of it yet - bless) and then we went to the Liberty Stadium to see Nick (my cousin) play with the Springbok (under 20's) number 7 shirt on, in the Junior World Championships. It was the most amazing afternoon.

Earlier in the week Mum and I went to Cardiff Arms Park to see South Africa play England, for a place in the final. It was a real case of divided loyalties, but I'm afraid blood is thicker and all that and we were right in there with the Springbok supporters shouting like the best of them.

It was a foul, wet, cold night (at the beginning of our summer!) and the game didn't kick off until 9.30pm, which was a ridiculous time to start a game. Anyway, after running up and down that dark, damp pitch for 90 minutes England won (which was good of course), but disappointing too, because we wanted the 'greens' to win that night. That meant that South Africa would now meet Wales in the 3rd place play off and England would play NZ to win. That brings me back to our day out in Swansea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We met my Uncle Pete (Nicks Grandfather), my cousin John (Nicks Dad), JP (Nicks older brother - who is a fantastic rugby player too - watch this space) and Charlie (Nicks uncle), who had all flown over for the week to watch the tournament. That in itself was fantastic, but to then stand there as Nick ran out of the tunnel in the number 7 shirt, with the rest of the team and then stood in line to sing the South African national anthem, was a very proud and emotional experience.

Divided loyalties this time for Brian. He wore his brightest red Welsh shirt, sang the National Antem and encouraged 'his boys' all through the game, but he shouted just as loudly when Nick had the ball.


Bess proved to be a very loud cheer leader and "Come on Nick" could be heard quite clearly by the people on the other side of the stadium - she had a great time and going off on a bit of a tangent, asked if we were going again today! Bless her, start them early they say.


Anyway, I'm not going to give an account of the game (South Africa beat Wales 43 - 8), there is really no need. However, Nick scored a fantastic try (I thought I was going to wet myself!) enabled several others to do the same (I'm not biased, but he did) and then - and this is most exciting part - was awarded Man of the Match. I could have done with some smelling salts at this point! It was so well deserved and the culmination of a great afternoon.


We won't forget that afternoon in Swansea - the first of many occasions I'm sure, that we will spend watching a Koster in a green Springbok jersey.

Well done Nick - you truly are a star.

The winners of the tournament were New Zealand. They beat England 38 - 3. Well done to them, and to England for getting to the final.