WEBVTT - The Profile: Robbie Schlemmer

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<v Speaker 1>Join the conversation on Facebook. Like the capsal page to

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<v Speaker 1>stay up to date up today. Clinton Vandenberg is a

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<v Speaker 1>fellow media professional. He was the pr and media manager

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<v Speaker 1>for Supersport for many many years. He is a journalist.

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<v Speaker 1>He's gone on to do his own thing more recently,

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<v Speaker 1>and he also runs a platform called got Game where

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<v Speaker 1>he does sports interviews with people and really tells incredible

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<v Speaker 1>He's a wonderful storyteller and his writing is outstanding, and

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<v Speaker 1>he posted one of his recent interviews on LinkedIn this

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<v Speaker 1>week because of course, on June twenty fourth, it was

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<v Speaker 1>the anniversary of that remarkable World Cup game that South

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<v Speaker 1>Africa won in nineteen ninety five at Ellis Park, the

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<v Speaker 1>one where we saw Nelson Mandela on the field in

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<v Speaker 1>Francois Pina's jersey. And it really was one of the

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<v Speaker 1>most incredible moments in South African history. It still gives

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<v Speaker 1>me goosebumps to think about it. And the article that

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<v Speaker 1>Clinton wrote was about a man called Robbie Schlemmer who

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<v Speaker 1>was the Springbox boot and change room manager. He played

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<v Speaker 1>a quiet but pivotal role, says Clinton, in one of

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<v Speaker 1>South Africa's most historic sporting moments. The Rugby World Cup

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<v Speaker 1>Final at Ellis Park. Driving from Boksburg and his tours

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<v Speaker 1>a Corolla, Schlemmer began a day of meticulous preparation, from

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<v Speaker 1>ensuring the change room was spotless and well stocked to

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<v Speaker 1>carefully laying out the iconic green and gold jerseys. His

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<v Speaker 1>job may have been behind the scenes, but his commitment

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<v Speaker 1>to detail helped set the stage for the Springbox's unforgettable victory.

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<v Speaker 1>That day, he witnessed the powerful arrival of Nelson mandelena

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<v Speaker 1>Springbok jersey, a moment that confirmed for him that the

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<v Speaker 1>team would win not for themselves but for the country.

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<v Speaker 1>Such powerful writing, I'm delighted to say good morning and

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<v Speaker 1>welcome to weekend breakfast to Robbi Schlemmer, Romie, Robbie, thank

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<v Speaker 1>you so much for joining us.

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<v Speaker 2>Thanks to you Amy, Good morning to you in a

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<v Speaker 2>cold Cape town as I and good morning to your listeners.

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<v Speaker 1>I thought it's so that we're having this conversation today

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<v Speaker 1>because of course the spring Bucks are facing the Barbarians

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<v Speaker 1>at the DHL Stadium this afternoon. It will be a

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<v Speaker 1>cold and wet game, but it is a good time

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<v Speaker 1>to reflect on you on the many, many years that

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<v Speaker 1>you spent with the Springbok team mate.

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<v Speaker 2>No mistake, and I'm sure you all your cape Tonians

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<v Speaker 2>will be at the stadium late this afternoon. Come more

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<v Speaker 2>rain or more wind or more bad weather as you've

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<v Speaker 2>been blessed with the last few days. But yes, there

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<v Speaker 2>is something about that spring Buck emblem, and something about

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<v Speaker 2>the Springbuck emblem surviving all these years and still being

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<v Speaker 2>such a big part of our country. Without a doubt,

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<v Speaker 2>rugby still plays a huge role. And as you said earlier,

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<v Speaker 2>and as Clinton also said, going back to the Medieva

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<v Speaker 2>magic and what Nelson Mandela did on that day, and

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<v Speaker 2>how you brought the country together, and how sport has

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<v Speaker 2>unified this country, even though we do have lots of problems,

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<v Speaker 2>which you also mentioned earlier. Without a doubt year rugby

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<v Speaker 2>I think will always play a pivotal role in South

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<v Speaker 2>African history, not just sports wise, but politically and more

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<v Speaker 2>important to everyone out there that loves their sport.

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<v Speaker 1>Robbie, let's go right back in time and tell us

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<v Speaker 1>about how you first came to work with the Springboks

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<v Speaker 1>at Ellis Park.

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<v Speaker 2>I was lucky enough many years ago to be asked

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<v Speaker 2>by a friend to help out one saturday just in

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<v Speaker 2>the change rooms at Ellis Park as the guy that

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<v Speaker 2>used to do the job had taken off and was

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<v Speaker 2>about to retire. And yeah, what started off with a

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<v Speaker 2>little Saturday job at Ellis Park running the change rooms

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<v Speaker 2>for the Lions. Those days will going back to the

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<v Speaker 2>eighties more trans ball, which then became the Shouting Lions

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<v Speaker 2>and the Golden Lions, and then eventually the Lions had

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<v Speaker 2>all started off on that set and I really enjoyed

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<v Speaker 2>and having been a sports for Nettickus Clinton has probably

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<v Speaker 2>told you my whole life. When that opportunity came, I

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<v Speaker 2>grabbed it and I was involved there for many years

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<v Speaker 2>doing that job. And then you're moving on from just

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<v Speaker 2>looking after the Lions that famous day in ninety five,

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<v Speaker 2>and then while I've got you after that as well,

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<v Speaker 2>been lucky enough to even have been involved with Jake

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<v Speaker 2>White when he was coaching under twenty one when we

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<v Speaker 2>were lucky enough to win another World Cup if I

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<v Speaker 2>remember two thousand and three under Clyde Rathbunk. So yes,

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<v Speaker 2>there is a bit of history there.

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<v Speaker 1>Let's go back to that day in nineteen ninety five,

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<v Speaker 1>that memorable day when you drove to work that day

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<v Speaker 1>to make sure that all your preparation was done with

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<v Speaker 1>such care and pride as you always did. Did you

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<v Speaker 1>have any idea who would be walking into the change room?

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<v Speaker 2>No, only later in the morning when I was told,

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<v Speaker 2>you know that we had to make a plan whether

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<v Speaker 2>all the players get two jerseys, and I was asked

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<v Speaker 2>to make sure what the hierarchy would come fetch one

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<v Speaker 2>jersey because Medieva had decided and it was a state

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<v Speaker 2>secret at the time that you know, he is coming

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<v Speaker 2>to the stadium, but he's not coming with his normal

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<v Speaker 2>Medieva shirts which were so famous for He was going

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<v Speaker 2>to wear the number six jersey, Francis jersey as the

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<v Speaker 2>leader of South Africa and probably well in his own way,

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<v Speaker 2>the leader of the spring Bucks on that day is

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<v Speaker 2>you know, whenever he ended a game with his Medieva magic,

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<v Speaker 2>we never lost. He did have something. And when they

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<v Speaker 2>collected the jersey, well then I only knew or when

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<v Speaker 2>he arrives later, there will be big action coming. And

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<v Speaker 2>as I can tell you, when he did arrive, the

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<v Speaker 2>aura around him and walking into that change room with

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<v Speaker 2>the cap and there the jersey on was incredible because

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<v Speaker 2>even Francois, they didn't know Huntley saw him that Medieva

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<v Speaker 2>was going to wear his jersey.

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<v Speaker 1>Wow. And Robbie in his article, Clinton said that when

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<v Speaker 1>you saw Medeeba there in the jersey, you that's when

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<v Speaker 1>you said you could bet your life that the spring

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<v Speaker 1>Bucks were going to win.

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<v Speaker 2>No, I had a feeling, I must say, my dear.

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<v Speaker 2>But the thing Amy that really made it come through

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<v Speaker 2>for me. I was lucky enough being involved, and even

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<v Speaker 2>though it was crowded, and you know, he had bodyguards

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<v Speaker 2>around him and many people had a wait outside the

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<v Speaker 2>change room when he came in to speak to the guys,

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<v Speaker 2>I was lucky enough to be inside and just checking

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<v Speaker 2>up on everything behind the scenes. I was actually behind

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<v Speaker 2>the wall where the showers off, so like had an

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<v Speaker 2>inside view, probably more by luck. It just worked out

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<v Speaker 2>that way. So I couldn't come out there now because

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<v Speaker 2>it was you know, it was big time. I rocky

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<v Speaker 2>around him and everyone took their seat or you know,

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<v Speaker 2>listened in as he spoke, and the speech he gave

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<v Speaker 2>was just incredible. And you know, it's fitty years later

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<v Speaker 2>and I won't remember work for work, but I do

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<v Speaker 2>remember how he stated that this was a time for

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<v Speaker 2>our new South Africa to come together and you know,

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<v Speaker 2>as he always stated that sport united the country and

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<v Speaker 2>if anything would ever bring South Africa together, it would

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<v Speaker 2>be the likes of sport. But he also made it

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<v Speaker 2>very clear that he didn't want the box to play

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<v Speaker 2>for him or to play for themselves. Today it was

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<v Speaker 2>all about South Africa. And he knew too that if

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<v Speaker 2>they rose to the occasion, they would put us back

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<v Speaker 2>on the map. Because if you remember, and I know

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<v Speaker 2>a lot of youngsters might be listening on people that

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<v Speaker 2>aren't that old, that won't remember that we weren't really

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<v Speaker 2>given a chance. You know, Jonah Lomo was at the

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<v Speaker 2>top of his game, the All Blacks were playing brilliant,

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<v Speaker 2>brilliant rugby. At that stage, we were huge outsiders to

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<v Speaker 2>win the cup. But it just showed you, as people

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<v Speaker 2>will always say, it's on the day and on the

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<v Speaker 2>day after that speech, and then I was also lucky

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<v Speaker 2>enough to hear france Or speech just before the boys

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<v Speaker 2>ran onto the field. And after those two I could

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<v Speaker 2>tell you, Amy, put your house, your car, your trailer,

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<v Speaker 2>your jet ski with a rain down in Cape Town

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<v Speaker 2>even your husband back put everything on because today there

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<v Speaker 2>is no way New Zealand will be South Africa and

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<v Speaker 2>that was exactly as it worked out on the day.

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<v Speaker 1>Wow, I've actually got goosebumps while you're talking, Robbie. When

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<v Speaker 1>Mandela delivered that speech in the change room, which you

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<v Speaker 1>watched from sort of behind the scenes, what was the

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<v Speaker 1>reaction of the players?

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<v Speaker 2>They were all in awe. There was major silence, big respect,

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<v Speaker 2>you know the late Kitch Christie who was also the

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<v Speaker 2>coach at the time. He also was very very much

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<v Speaker 2>a discipline and respect all around. There wasn't a word said.

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<v Speaker 2>You know, you had big boys in there who are

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<v Speaker 2>still communicate with and stay in touch. But the likes

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<v Speaker 2>of the Querbus visas, the Barley Swats, you know, Yupie Milder,

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<v Speaker 2>people that could be nervous at times, the late James

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<v Speaker 2>Small who played a huge role in who I'll always

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<v Speaker 2>look up to any lar who There's just too many

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<v Speaker 2>to mention. And mind you, all those I have mentioned

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<v Speaker 2>too played for trans Ball at the time, who had

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<v Speaker 2>also been involved with They were an absolute awe and

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<v Speaker 2>they were so dedicated and disciplined and just ready for

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<v Speaker 2>you know what lay ahead of them. They would have

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<v Speaker 2>given their lives on that day. They were prepared to

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<v Speaker 2>run through a concrete wall, as I say, not just

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<v Speaker 2>for our president at the time, but for the country.

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<v Speaker 2>And when you said it brings goosebumps to you, you know, Amy,

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<v Speaker 2>It's steady years later, but I still remember it like yesterday.

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<v Speaker 2>And yeah, all there's certain things you want to remember.

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<v Speaker 2>And I had major COVID a few years ago, so

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<v Speaker 2>I did lose a bit of memory as well. But

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<v Speaker 2>all in all, the day that sticks with me, and

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<v Speaker 2>as I say, sticks with South Africa and just takes

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<v Speaker 2>us back to where we were and sometimes a little

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<v Speaker 2>bit sad to see where we are now, but we

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<v Speaker 2>all live in hope and hope that going forward we

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<v Speaker 2>can somehow bring back that sparkle that Bronchois and the

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<v Speaker 2>boys did on that day with the help of Medieva.

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<v Speaker 1>If you've just turned in, I'm in conversation with Robbie Schlemmer.

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<v Speaker 1>He was the Briton Polish guy for the Lions rugby

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<v Speaker 1>team and the Springbok rugby team and was there in

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<v Speaker 1>the change room fifty years ago on that memorable day,

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<v Speaker 1>the twenty fourth of June nineteen ninety five, when South

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<v Speaker 1>Africa beat the All Blacks in the World Cup Final

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<v Speaker 1>and Mandela walked onto the field wearing Francois Pinar's rugby jersey.

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<v Speaker 1>If you've got a question for him about what was

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<v Speaker 1>going on behind the scenes, you're welcome to send it

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<v Speaker 1>to us. On seven two five six seven one five

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<v Speaker 1>six seven. Robbie, you must have had some memorable experiences

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<v Speaker 1>in the change room, not only that day but on

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<v Speaker 1>numerous occasions.

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<v Speaker 2>Ah, you're quite right, Amy, obviously that would have been

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<v Speaker 2>the biggest of all days. And then, as I say,

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<v Speaker 2>being involved myself in two thousand and three again with

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<v Speaker 2>a hunder twenty one World Cup, but many a day

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<v Speaker 2>with the Lions as well. You know Francois at the time,

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<v Speaker 2>and I know Francois now. I've been in Cape Town

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<v Speaker 2>and Kerbus visas in Cape Town and Barley Swats in

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<v Speaker 2>Cape Town, and you know players before that time Western

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<v Speaker 2>Province boy that are still stay in touch with Keith

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<v Speaker 2>Andrews looks to me all the top players in Cape Town,

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<v Speaker 2>although all the years Western Province have also had a

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<v Speaker 2>good sight. But yeah, at that stage the Lions didn't

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<v Speaker 2>lose many matches. And I'm not being arrogant, and not

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<v Speaker 2>because I was call me a baggage master yet Today

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<v Speaker 2>the guys have got big names like kit managers and

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<v Speaker 2>it's all become highly professional. But yeah, we did have

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<v Speaker 2>many celebrations. You know, the Lions or as I've said,

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<v Speaker 2>Transvall won the Super ten. They were up there in

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<v Speaker 2>Super twelve. We won MNIT Night serieses those days, we

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<v Speaker 2>won the Curry Cup, which was a very very big tournament.

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<v Speaker 2>Then it's a bit watered down there as the rugby

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<v Speaker 2>world has changed and the u rcs come on board,

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<v Speaker 2>which but at that stage the Carry Cup was a lot.

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<v Speaker 2>And yeah, we had many celebrations in that change room.

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<v Speaker 2>I remember the late Doc late you know, also celebrating

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<v Speaker 2>and I can I can recall many good times that

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<v Speaker 2>I had and I was privileged enough to have with

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<v Speaker 2>my involvement in rugby. I was never a rugby star.

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<v Speaker 2>I played a bit of sport in my life. But yeah,

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<v Speaker 2>when you see the guys at the pinnacle and the

0:12:54.440 --> 0:12:57.960
<v Speaker 2>very top, and then you realize and that day too,

0:12:58.080 --> 0:13:01.080
<v Speaker 2>after Joel's famous drop kick, and when the boys got

0:13:01.120 --> 0:13:04.640
<v Speaker 2>back in the change room, it's not very easy. I

0:13:04.679 --> 0:13:07.240
<v Speaker 2>don't even think in the English language as words that

0:13:07.360 --> 0:13:12.280
<v Speaker 2>can always explain, but an unbelievable day and not just

0:13:12.360 --> 0:13:15.400
<v Speaker 2>that day. I had an unbelievable time the years I

0:13:15.440 --> 0:13:18.040
<v Speaker 2>was involved, and I wouldn't give it up.

0:13:17.920 --> 0:13:23.480
<v Speaker 1>For anything, Robbie. I've been fortunate enough through my career

0:13:23.559 --> 0:13:25.440
<v Speaker 1>to get to know some of the spring Bucks on

0:13:25.480 --> 0:13:28.760
<v Speaker 1>an off and work with them a little bit. And

0:13:28.800 --> 0:13:31.959
<v Speaker 1>what always strikes me is is big and fearsome and

0:13:32.679 --> 0:13:36.679
<v Speaker 1>possibly aggressive they look on the field. Generally, they are

0:13:36.760 --> 0:13:41.640
<v Speaker 1>incredibly graceful and patient and polite and willing to stop

0:13:41.679 --> 0:13:45.560
<v Speaker 1>and give fans an autograph or a photograph. What was

0:13:45.679 --> 0:13:50.040
<v Speaker 1>your connection with them like? Were they respectful and kind

0:13:50.120 --> 0:13:50.560
<v Speaker 1>to you?

0:13:51.800 --> 0:13:54.560
<v Speaker 2>Amy? I must say I think that's probably part of

0:13:54.600 --> 0:13:58.040
<v Speaker 2>the ethos with the spring Bucks. There were one or

0:13:58.080 --> 0:14:01.320
<v Speaker 2>two that were a bit difficult. Going to mention names,

0:14:01.360 --> 0:14:04.120
<v Speaker 2>I don't think that would be right, but I'd say

0:14:04.280 --> 0:14:08.920
<v Speaker 2>ninety ninety eight percent of them lovely people, salt of

0:14:09.040 --> 0:14:13.160
<v Speaker 2>the earth, solid citizens, down to earth, and of course, well,

0:14:13.200 --> 0:14:15.720
<v Speaker 2>I think it goes back to Doc Craven and even

0:14:15.800 --> 0:14:18.800
<v Speaker 2>before that. When you wear that green and gold, you

0:14:19.320 --> 0:14:22.200
<v Speaker 2>when you're off the field, you become very humble and yeah,

0:14:22.200 --> 0:14:25.880
<v Speaker 2>again i'd have to mention guys like Quebus Visa, the

0:14:26.000 --> 0:14:29.920
<v Speaker 2>gentle giant Bari swat. You know, those guys always had

0:14:29.960 --> 0:14:33.080
<v Speaker 2>time for everyone. And then to me, a very special

0:14:33.120 --> 0:14:36.320
<v Speaker 2>one would always be the late James Small. I never

0:14:36.480 --> 0:14:39.760
<v Speaker 2>ever in my whole life saw James turn anybody away.

0:14:40.360 --> 0:14:43.440
<v Speaker 2>There'd be twenty five kids in a queue, if more,

0:14:43.520 --> 0:14:47.480
<v Speaker 2>or waiting for his autograph. He'd sign every single one.

0:14:47.880 --> 0:14:51.320
<v Speaker 2>He was just an example to so many people. I

0:14:51.400 --> 0:14:54.320
<v Speaker 2>knew James off the field as well. You know, he

0:14:54.360 --> 0:14:56.840
<v Speaker 2>would have given his last cent to a hobo on

0:14:56.920 --> 0:14:59.560
<v Speaker 2>the street. He was and I could say most of

0:14:59.600 --> 0:15:02.280
<v Speaker 2>the bop ah very very much. I think when you've

0:15:02.320 --> 0:15:06.000
<v Speaker 2>reached that level, Amy, not just because we've been world

0:15:06.040 --> 0:15:09.960
<v Speaker 2>champions four times, but if you've become a spring Bok,

0:15:10.000 --> 0:15:12.720
<v Speaker 2>then I think you've kind of reached the pinnacle. And

0:15:13.280 --> 0:15:16.240
<v Speaker 2>you know, pretty much like in boxing, a world champion,

0:15:16.880 --> 0:15:19.880
<v Speaker 2>the same sort of thing. And although some people are arrogant,

0:15:19.920 --> 0:15:23.320
<v Speaker 2>and I've hearded you, especially around the footballers where they

0:15:23.360 --> 0:15:26.680
<v Speaker 2>earn even more money than the box, do you know, yes,

0:15:26.840 --> 0:15:29.320
<v Speaker 2>you do get the arrogant ones, but I think all

0:15:29.360 --> 0:15:33.680
<v Speaker 2>around most sportsmen that reach that level, do you know

0:15:33.720 --> 0:15:37.520
<v Speaker 2>where they come from? And you know, not everyone came

0:15:37.640 --> 0:15:41.720
<v Speaker 2>from Branston or from been millionaires. And some of them

0:15:41.840 --> 0:15:44.800
<v Speaker 2>very humble beginnings, and if you look where they are today,

0:15:45.280 --> 0:15:48.160
<v Speaker 2>even some of the newer spring Bucks that have come

0:15:48.200 --> 0:15:52.120
<v Speaker 2>through under Russi Erasmus, it's wonderful to see. But I

0:15:52.200 --> 0:15:55.400
<v Speaker 2>do firmly believe it all goes back to that era.

0:15:55.520 --> 0:15:58.720
<v Speaker 2>I don't think you'd be lucky enough to wear the

0:15:58.720 --> 0:16:02.560
<v Speaker 2>springbuck Jersney. You were arrogant and you thought you were

0:16:02.600 --> 0:16:08.160
<v Speaker 2>bigger than the game. You know, nobody, whether it's football, rugby, cricket, tennis, whatever,

0:16:08.560 --> 0:16:09.960
<v Speaker 2>can be bigger than the game.

0:16:11.000 --> 0:16:13.520
<v Speaker 1>So powerful words there, Robbie, You've been so generous with

0:16:13.560 --> 0:16:16.520
<v Speaker 1>your time and memories this morning. Will you be watching

0:16:16.520 --> 0:16:17.640
<v Speaker 1>the rugby this afternoon?

0:16:18.320 --> 0:16:22.520
<v Speaker 2>Yes, most definitely. You know, obviously I'll still spring Bucks

0:16:22.640 --> 0:16:25.160
<v Speaker 2>is a part of my life and although I'm no

0:16:25.200 --> 0:16:29.280
<v Speaker 2>longer involved, it's also something that always will play a

0:16:29.360 --> 0:16:32.200
<v Speaker 2>role in my life. And you are South Africa. As

0:16:32.240 --> 0:16:34.920
<v Speaker 2>I say, with all our problems, we've got to be

0:16:35.040 --> 0:16:37.640
<v Speaker 2>proud and we've got to believe. You know, if we

0:16:37.720 --> 0:16:40.760
<v Speaker 2>could just get the politics to be like our sport,

0:16:40.880 --> 0:16:44.000
<v Speaker 2>we'd be winners all round, just like cricket, where it

0:16:44.120 --> 0:16:48.160
<v Speaker 2>wasn't until very recently we managed to break that duck

0:16:48.280 --> 0:16:52.440
<v Speaker 2>and get that monkey off the shoulder. We'll always be

0:16:52.560 --> 0:16:55.600
<v Speaker 2>known around the world for our sport. And I think

0:16:55.720 --> 0:16:58.320
<v Speaker 2>you know, rugby is the great example where it all

0:16:58.320 --> 0:17:01.520
<v Speaker 2>starts at school level already you can down in the

0:17:01.600 --> 0:17:05.199
<v Speaker 2>Cape you know already Paul Boys, Paul Jim where you

0:17:05.240 --> 0:17:10.000
<v Speaker 2>get thirty forty people watching a schools game and strong

0:17:10.080 --> 0:17:13.160
<v Speaker 2>school rugby is So I think our rugby will always

0:17:13.240 --> 0:17:16.040
<v Speaker 2>be well looked after. You've got to say, whether you

0:17:16.200 --> 0:17:18.639
<v Speaker 2>like it or not, Russie is doing a good job.

0:17:18.720 --> 0:17:21.600
<v Speaker 2>So we got a huge advantage. And now if we

0:17:21.640 --> 0:17:25.320
<v Speaker 2>can keep cricket on the right track, hopefully eventually the

0:17:25.440 --> 0:17:29.240
<v Speaker 2>politicians will realize to also get their act together.

0:17:30.160 --> 0:17:32.720
<v Speaker 1>Rubbi is Shlemma. Thank you very much for joining us

0:17:32.560 --> 0:17:36.000
<v Speaker 1>this morning, rather Rubb Rubby.

0:17:37.600 --> 0:17:40.960
<v Speaker 2>Yes, I thank you, Amy, and it's been a pleasure.

0:17:41.000 --> 0:17:43.879
<v Speaker 2>And as I say, yeah, let's hold thumbs. I have

0:17:44.000 --> 0:17:46.520
<v Speaker 2>no doubt we will pull it through this afternoon in

0:17:46.560 --> 0:17:49.680
<v Speaker 2>the mud. But let's hope for another great year for

0:17:50.359 --> 0:17:53.199
<v Speaker 2>the spring Bucks, and not just the spring Bucks, the

0:17:53.280 --> 0:17:56.800
<v Speaker 2>pro Tears and all our sporting codes and for the

0:17:56.880 --> 0:17:58.080
<v Speaker 2>country as well.

0:17:58.119 --> 0:18:00.679
<v Speaker 1>Indeed, we have to leave it there, Rubbi Schlemmer. He

0:18:00.840 --> 0:18:03.720
<v Speaker 1>was the bag master for many years for the Lions

0:18:03.720 --> 0:18:05.479
<v Speaker 1>and the Spring Parks. He says that he've now been

0:18:05.520 --> 0:18:09.359
<v Speaker 1>known as a kit manager if he was involved today,

0:18:09.400 --> 0:18:11.520
<v Speaker 1>but he was joining us on the line from Johannesburg.