"You're So Cute, Bro": Joshua Rubin Meets Zedan Johnson, SA's 9-Year-Old Rugby Star
- Joshua Rubin, the Cape Town-based filmmaker and YouTuber, ran into viral rugby sensation Zedan Johnson at a live stadium game
- Zedan, the 9-year-old Mpumalanga schoolboy dubbed the next Cheslin Kolbe, confidently told Joshua he was on Google
- The clip Joshua shared on Instagram on 27 August 2026 melted hearts across South Africa
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Source: Instagram
Joshua Rubin and Zedan Johnson had one of the most wholesome stadium encounters South Africa has seen in a while. The Cape Town-based filmmaker and YouTuber behind @JoshWideAwake crossed paths with nine-year-old rugby sensation Zedan Johnson at a live game on 27 August 2026, and the moment he captured on camera quickly made waves online.
In the clip, a cheerful Zedan held his own in the conversation with zero hesitation. When Joshua introduced himself and mentioned he was on YouTube, the young boy calmly fired back that he was on YouTube too, then TikTok, then, most memorably, Google. "I'm on Google," Zedan told him with complete composure, leaving Joshua visibly delighted.
The Boy Who Broke the Internet With Bare Feet
Zedan, nicknamed "Small," first captured the country's attention during the 2025 Under-18 Craven Week tournament. He was not even competing in the main event. A video of him playing barefoot behind the posts, weaving past much bigger kids with ankle-breaking side-steps and signature goose-steps, went viral across TikTok and Instagram with millions of views worldwide.
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Fans and rugby commentators immediately compared him to Springbok icon Cheslin Kolbe, and the nickname stuck. Named the Class of 2025 Wildcard by SuperSport Schools, Zedan plays scrum-half and models his game entirely after Kolbe. His father, Daniel Johnson, is a former flanker for the Pumas provincial side, so rugby runs deep in the family.
Following his viral moment, a Mpumalanga businessman gifted Zedan and his father tickets to watch the Springboks play Georgia live at the Mbombela Stadium.
Mzansi Reacts to the Star-Studded Encounter
South Africans flooded the comments section of Joshua's Instagram page with love for the interaction:
@amogelang_phenyo said:
"This interaction is so next level. Zedan was starstruck but was confident enough to let you know that he's also a star 🔥🔥🔥"
@kamogelo.dlamini1 wrote:
"Bro low-key said 'google me' 😭"
@gafsa_cassim shared:
"Bro ain't lying! I googled him (had to), and he's quite the internet sensation 👏👏👏"
@nadie9ice reacted:
"He's so cute; he acts like an old madala 😂😂 He's composed, bruh 😍😍❤️"
@liindelwa_mkh added:
"Omg, he really is on Google 😂🤏🏽! The next Cheslin Kolbe 🔥🔥😂"
@millymashile laughed:
"I'm on Google!!! Clock that hahahaha, so cute."
@melofits2.0 agreed:
"Zedan Johnson is definitely on Google! ✨"
Watch the moment Joshua and Zedan met in the stands here.
More viral South African moments
- Briefly News recently reported that DJ Tira, DJ Merlon and Black Coffee raised millions after launching an initiative aimed at supporting struggling creatives.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with US Ambassador Brent Bozell III sparked questions and strong reactions from South Africans online.
- BI Phakathi touched hearts after stepping in to help a struggling South African mother and her baby during a difficult time.
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Source: Briefly News
