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Iconic Personalities Transforming the Rugby World Cup Landscape

Rugby World Cup in France spotlights four players transformed into adored figures by fans, as recognized by Quintin van Jaarsveld.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 18 . 6:08 AM

2 min read

Iconic Personalities Transforming the Rugby World Cup Landscape

Rugby World Cup 2023: Emerging Stars Shine in France

The Rugby World Cup in France is showcasing some of the most exciting talent in the sport, with several players making a name for themselves in the tournament.

One such player is Casper Viviers, who made his Namibian debut in 2010 and gained wider recognition at the World Cup in France. Known for his unbelievable cover defense, Viviers found himself in an off-the-field incident involving an Afrikaans phrase. Despite this, he has continued to impress, earning him the Player of the Week accolade from Afrikaans comedian Jonathan on his YouTube show.

Another standout performer is Diego Escobar, a 23-year-old hooker from Chile. Making his World Cup debut against Japan, Escobar's significant impact earned him a spot in many publications' World Cup Team of the Week. Escobar is one of four sets of brothers in the Chile team, with his older sibling Alfonso playing in the back row. Their father Alfonso Sr. also played for Chile.

Escobar's performance was gutsy, beating four defenders, making 30 meters from 11 carries, adding eight tackles, and performing well in the set pieces. His efforts did not go unnoticed, with renowned rugby pundit Squidge highlighting his performance on social media platform X.

Tonga's captain, Ben Tameifuna, is another player who has left fans in awe. A 151kg prop, Tameifuna's size, power, and hard-working heroics have been a force to be reckoned with. Tameifuna put in a big performance against South Africa (the Boks) last Sunday, running over opposing captain Siya Kolisi and scoring the first of Tonga's three tries.

Tonga's scrumhalf, Jonathan Taumateine, has also become a viral sensation at the World Cup. Known for his distinctive bottle-blonde mullet, fans have compared him to WWE legend Ric Flair. Taumateine scored a sensational try in his team's opening match against Chile.

Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Faf de Klerk have also been viral favourites at the World Cup, according to Quintin van Jaarsveld, a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year with over 15 years of experience as a freelance sports writer. However, an African comedian character Jonathan awarded Casper Viviers the title of "most entertaining player."

These emerging stars are sure to continue making waves as the Rugby World Cup progresses, providing fans with exciting moments and unforgettable performances.