Kotzé was born in Vredendal in the Western Cape, but grew up in Mpumalanga province, where he attended Hoërskool Nelspruit.
He was selected to represent the Pumas at the Under-18 Academy Week in 2008 and the Under-18 Craven Week in 2009.
He started all three of their matches at the tournament held in East London, scoring one try in their 14–41 defeat to the hosts Border.
After school, Kotzé moved to Cape Town to join the Western Province youth structures.
He was included in the Western Province U21 squad for the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship, but after making three appearances, he made a mid-season move to the Johannesburg-based Golden Lions outfit.
He was included in the Golden Lions' squad for the 2013 Vodacom Cup and he made his first class debut on 5 April 2013, starting in a 19–30 defeat to the Griffons.[18] That was his only appearance in the competition that the Golden Lions eventually won, beating Kotzé's former side the Pumas in the final.
Kotzé was soon on the move again, joining Wellington-based side the Boland Cavaliers for the 2013 Currie Cup First Division competition.
In 2014 he returned to Mpumalanga, where he played amateur club rugby for White River. At the end of 2015 the Pumas invited nine amateur and youth players to train with them and Kotzé was one of three players that were awarded a contract to play for the team during the 2016 Currie Cup qualification series.
JW July 17
Career
 |
Golden Lions Loosehead Prop |
2013 - 2016 |
 |
Pumas Loosehead Prop |
2016 - 2023 |
