Latest news with #Schlemmer
The South African
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
The boot and polish man who had a window into history
It's not a long way from Boksburg to Ellis Park, but for Robbie Schlemmer, 24 June 1995, was no ordinary trip. As the boot and change room manager for the Springboks, he was heading into a day that would change South African sport forever, one polished boot, one quiet checklist at a time. According to Clinton van der Berg, writing on his 'Got Game' website, Schlemmer remembers how he steered his trusty Toyota Corolla through the quiet, wintry streets of Johannesburg that morning. The city was still, but he felt the tension rising. At Ellis Park, South Africa's great rugby fortress, all was calm. He knew the day would be special. His job was simple in theory but meticulous in practice: set up the changeroom, make sure everything was perfect. Geyser on? Tick. Lights on? Tick. Clean and tidy? Tick. Soap? Tick. Toilet paper? Tick. Ice machine filled? Tick. Cold drinks and Castles? Tick. Snacks? Tick. Physio bed? Tick. Air conditioner? Tick. Then came the sacred ritual: unpacking the socks, shorts and green and gold Springbok jerseys, each laid out beneath a name tag, match programme balanced neatly on top. The balls had to be pumped to exact IRB specifications: 9.5 to 10 pounds per square inch. If any boots looked shabby, out came the polish and brush. The manne had to look sharp. Robbie Schlemmer began working at Ellis Park in the late 1980s after a friend asked him to help out. He earned R85 per Saturday before tax. 'The Transvaal players also got a koevertjie with their R800 match fee,' he recalls. The changeroom had its fair share of characters. The most intimidating? Louis Luyt. After a loss, he was fearsome. But not to Hennie le Roux, the team's sharp-tongued shop steward, and Luyt hated that. 'An insidious personality,' wrote Luyt of Le Roux in his autobiography. 'He turned out to be a true prima donna.' James Small, by contrast, was a 'great oke' who believed Schlemmer deserved more recognition. Big men like Kobus Wiese and Balie Swart treated him like gold. Wiese still messages him on his birthday. 'Johan Heunis was pure class, and Japie Mulder was always chirping, joking, smiling,' says Schlemmer. Francois Pienaar, the captain, even mentioned him in his autobiography Rainbow Warrior , calling Schlemmer 'my most loyal supporter'. Coach Kitch Christie once told him, only half-jokingly, that he was the Lions' lucky charm: 'They only lost twice when I was sick.' As the 1995 Rugby World Cup approached, it slowly dawned on Schlemmer that he might be involved. When he received his official accreditation as 'Change room manager,' it became real. That afternoon, he was busy seeing to the players' needs when a commotion broke out. He heard Nelson Mandela before he saw him. 'And then I knew, you could put your house on the Boks winning.' Mandela's arrival in the changeroom had been kept a state secret. Only security chief Rory Steyn knew. Even Doc Luyt had been kept mostly in the dark. Dressed in a Springbok cap and jersey with Pienaar's number six on the back, Madiba moved along the line, greeting every person. He paused to speak Afrikaans to a ball boy. His security detail urged him on, but Mandela took his time. He told the players not to win for him, or for themselves, but for their country. Pienaar followed with his own words about unity and opportunity. 'There was no way we could lose that day,' Schlemmer remembers. Small listened to UB40 on his Walkman. Mulder cracked nervous jokes. Pienaar bounced on his toes like a coiled spring. Transvaal tjommies – James Small and Schlemmer (Pic: Supplied) Robbie Schlemmer squeezed into a corner of the press box to watch the game. His nerves were frayed, but his belief never wavered. At half-time, he made sure the sandwiches were ready. After full-time, the Heinekens. The All Blacks, more reserved, asked for tea. Pandemonium followed the final whistle. Reporters, photographers, hangers-on poured into the changeroom. Schlemmer looked on with quiet pride. He later drank beer from the Webb Ellis Cup, part celebration, part tribute to the Transvaal core who had become world champions. When the Boks left for Gallagher Estate and the official dinner, Schlemmer stayed behind to clean up. In the All Blacks changeroom next door, he heard guitars: Josh Kronfeld and Zinzan Brooke strumming Maori songs, their defeat worn lightly. Schlemmer stayed on until 2003, working with the SA U20s who won their own title under Jake White. Players like Fourie du Preez, Jean de Villiers, Clyde Rathbone and the late Swys Swart passed through his care. And then it ended. The work dried up without explanation. Today, at 61, he works as a rep for a liquor company. He still loves his rugby – from a distance now – and has found new passion in boxing and MMA. Yesterday marked 30 years since that extraordinary afternoon. There was no private celebration. For Robbie Schlemmer, being there was enough. He doesn't need medals or headlines. He helped hold together the team behind the team, one checklist, one pair of polished boots, one quiet presence at a time. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
AFFIDAVIT: Drunk driver causes crash killing woman, injuring others in East Texas
ALTO, Texas (KETK) — A woman is dead and others are injured after an Alto man was arrested for intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle on Monday. Henderson County 26-year-old arrested for child porn possesion after CyberTip According to Cherokee County arrest records, Samuel Lee Schlemmer was driving fast on FM 1911 towards U.S. Highway 69 when he drove past a stop sign and crashed into another vehicle with three passengers. Officials said a woman was taken by EMS, but did not survive her injuries, the other two passengers were taken to a local hospital. Schlemmer participated in a sobriety test after authorities saw open alcohol containers in his truck, along with observing his slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. AFFIDAVIT: Huntington man arrested after sexually assaulting minor in April During the tests, Schlemmer showed signs of being intoxicated before being placed under arrest, records indicate. Authorities obtained a warrant for his blood, which was collected at a later time. Schlemmer told authorities he had a pistol in his truck, which was taken as evidence. According to records, Schlemmer is facing five charges, including: Intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle Two counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle, SBI Unlawful carrying of a weapon Disregard of a stop sign Son of Smith County Clerk found guilty of assaulting peace officer Details about the woman who died have not been released at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
