Sharks’ fan from Malalane becomes famous overnight
Kevin Forssman's passion gives new meaning to the Sharks' slogan: 'Fear the Fin'.
This week, Malalane resident Kevin Forssman (13) became one of the most famous Cell C Sharks supporters in South Africa when a video still of him showing his emotions for his beloved team at Mbombela Stadium went viral.
The Sharks won against the Airlink Pumas in the dying moments of the match on Friday. The Sharks were trailing, but two tries in the last four minutes of the game and a post-siren conversion gave them the victory.
On Monday at 09:30, the Sharks’ official Facebook page posted the image with the message: “This is what the win in Mbombela meant to our young fan. Help us locate him to thank him for his passion and to give him the opportunity to meet the team.”
It was highly likely that the fan was a resident of the Lowveld.
Within minutes, local Facebook groups’ members started sharing the post. It spread like wildfire through the Lowveld.
It was not long and the teenager in the image was identified as Kevin, a pupil of Laerskool Malelane.
The Forssman family of the Onderberg are all lifelong Sharks fans – dad Ross (40), mum Mariëtte (35) and sons Eduan (15), Kevin and Keegan (8, named after former Sharks player Keegan Daniel).
The Sharks’ blood runs so thickly in his veins that Kevin has never been afraid of expressing his passion when watching them on TV or at a stadium, so when the KwaZulu-Natal team grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat, his emotions overwhelmed him.
“We were surrounded by all the loud Pumas’ supporters and outnumbered. It was a tough game that went down to the end, and when Dian Bleuler scored the try in the last minute to tie the game, the Sharks’ fans went crazy. We were so happy. When Nevaldo Fleurs kicked the conversion over the posts and started celebrating with all his teammates, my emotions were released,” Kevin said on Monday.
“I have supported the Sharks since I can remember. Both my parents and grandparents are big Sharks supporters, so I also wanted to support them. Their style of rugby is what grabs me.”
Kevin is himself a rugby player. “I play rugby for Lanies’ first team. I’ve played a few positions over the years, but prefer full back. I am currently playing left wing,” he said.
His favourite players are Yaw Penxe, Boeta Chamberlain and Aphelele Fassi.
As for which team is going to win the 2023 Carling Currie Cup, young Kevin has only one opinion. “Fear the fin.”
