NRL’s global joke: The story behind ‘Random Souths guy’ fan phenomenon

They are everywhere. Worldwide, at the most exotic and unexpected locations, you will find a Rabbitohs supporter. This is how ‘Random Souths Guy’ became a social media sensation.

They are everywhere … Fiji, France, England, Portugal, New Zealand, Cambodia, Ireland, Italy, Canada and Scotland.

Then there’s Manila, Switzerland, Bangkok, Bali, PNG, Vanuatu, Russia, Vietnam, Spain, Japan and Malaysia.

What about sightings at the Tour de France, Super Bowl, English darts, Crowded House concert, F1 Grand Prix, WrestleMania, Wembley Stadium, Movie World and Disneyland?

Even outside the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard trial in Virginia and the Mawson Station, Antarctica.

For goodness sake, even Santa has been sprung sporting the cardinal and myrtle under the red and white.

One random Souths guy watching the Jets vs. the Patriots in the NFL.

Another random souths fan takes a crowd catch at the BBL.

Worldwide, at the most exotic and unexpected locations, you will find a South Sydney supporter.

The next time you see a sports photo, look closely, because there’s a fair chance you’ll see someone wearing the South Sydney colours.

Random Souths Guy has become a sensation on social media – the Facebook page has nearly 20,000 members – with fans trying to out-do themselves by being photographed in the famous Bunnies gear.

One Souths fan is spotted at Glastonbury.

While another was seen at the Coachella.

“It’s becoming something of a contest for our members and fans in recent years,” said Souths chief executive Blake Solly. “We love the fact they are proud to wear that jersey wherever they are in the world.

“Not only do they post it online but I get texts and emails all the time from our fans on almost every continent on earth, wearing their Rabbitohs jersey and supporting the club.

“Our members and fans are very proud of their association with the club and showing that pride by wearing the jumper is something that they love to do – and they’re even a bit competitive about it.

A random souths guy at the Tour de France.

“The cardinal and myrtle are the most famous colours in rugby league and it’s a credit to all those administrators at the club over our 116-year history.

“The jersey that we will wear in 2024 looks very much like the jersey we first ran out in back in 1908. We’re looking forward to the ever-growing list of exotic places around the world where our supporters will wear the jersey.”

Other Souths fans have been spotted at a Suva supermarket, MetLife Stadium outside New York, Magic Weekend in Newcastle, England, Challenge Cup final at Tottenham, Super Rugby in Auckland, Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and Australia’s federal parliament.

A random souths guy watching Brock Lesnar in the WWE.

“Souths is worldwide and has been for more than 100 years,” said club legend, Craig ‘Tugger Coleman. “This shows how proud fans are to get out there in their jerseys and that’s the South Sydney I grew up with.

“Wherever you go there’s a Souths jersey – the Easter Show, the beaches, overseas. You go to Hawaii and see someone in a bar wearing a Souths jumper.

“The Souths’ brand is massive. We are the number one sporting team in Australia and are known all over the world.

“A lot of our support comes from George Piggins. He was the one who rallied our club and fans in their Souths jumpers when we needed them the most.”

A Souths fan at an NHL match in 2018.

For goodness sake, even Santa is a random Souths fan!

A founder of Random Souths Guy on Facebook has spoken of his passion for the club and its fans.

“Considering social media is such a big thing nowadays, it just adds another way to support the club and I always try to show my passion through it,” Anthony Basha told Souths’ website.

“I think we’re like that because we’re the most popular club in the world. Obviously some opposition supporters disagree, but when you go to a finals game it’s easy to see we’ve always got some of the best attendance out of anyone.

“We’re probably the most passionate fans because we’ve been through a lot, especially in the late 90s and early 2000s when we were unfairly kicked out of the comp, we marched and were then re-admitted. I think we’ve got the biggest supporter base in the world.”

Originally published as NRL’s global joke: The story behind ‘Random Souths guy’ fan phenomenon