Fortuin spent a part of his childhood in Kimberley but matriculated from Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch.

He is the latest player from the University of Stellenbosch Maties to join the Bloemfontein-based team, and he told OFM Sport that it will make it easier to slot it.

“I must say that the move to the Cheetahs wasn’t a big and difficult decision. It was quite clear that it was the next step that I had to take in my rugby career.

“Being part of Hawies’ Varsity Cup campaign at the Maties for the past three years and then this year as well, the step-up had to be made.

“It has made moving to the Cheetahs quite easy because of all of the Maties guys that are here already.

“Then for a brief period in my life we also lived in Kimberley, so Bloemfontein isn’t an unknown place to me. We came here quite often because I also had some family that lived Bloemfontein.

“I am looking forward to learning much more from the older guys and even developing as a player under coach Hawies again.”

Apart from Hawies Fourie who coached Maties, other alumni from the institution and multiple-time Varisty Cup champions include Reniel Hugo, Chris Massyn, Chris Smit, Craig Barry, Duncan Saal, Ian Groenewald and the conditioning coach, André Smith.

As a schoolboy, Fortuin, also represented Boland at age-group level. 

@MorganPiek OFM Sport