Louis Vorster, the Namibia and South Africa domestic batsman, has died after being shot during an armed robbery in Gauteng.

Vorster, 45, was shot by robbers at a fuel station on Tuesday night, while in Gauteng on business, South African papers reported. He had been pulling out of the fuel station in his car when his path was blocked, Gauteng police lieutenant colonel Tshisikhwawe Ndou was reported to have said. He was then shot and a package taken from his vehicle.

South-African born Vorster had moved to Namibia five years ago and went on to represent the country. A left-hand batsman, he played 95 first-class matches and 96 List A games, the last of which was in October 2009. In Namibia, he had played a role in the coaching and development of young players.

Cricket South Africa expressed its sadness, saying that Vorster would be best remembered for his 174 for Clive Rice's Transvaal side against Western Province in the traditional New Year's match in Cape Town in 1988.

"It is a very sad day for Southern African cricket," Jacques Faul, the CSA CEO, said. "Louis did a great deal for cricket both in South Africa and Namibia where he played for and coached the national team.

"In the South African context he was the first top player to come out of the North West area and he and his father, who was a leading coach at Volkskool Potchefstroom where Louis went to school, were pioneers in making cricket the popular sport it is at Afrikaans-medium schools today."

Several cricketers tweeted condolences and about their shock at the incident.

Tonight I'm crying like a baby! Lost a great friend! Rip Louis Vorster..#anothercrimevictiminSA!!

— albie morkel (@albiemorkel) April 17, 2012

Louis Vorster ex-cricketer gunned down MURDEReD outside Pta!soooo sooo sad.What a nice guy.

— Pat Symcox (@PatSymcox77) April 17, 2012