Tebogo Langerman wasn’t just a menace to defenders on the pitch during his storied career with Mamelodi Sundowns — he was just as fearsome off it, striking fear into the hearts of his neighbours' children in ways they won’t soon forget.
In a very open and uncensored chat with the Trap and Pass podcast, the former winger-cum-defender, made some other startling revelations that spanned the entirety of his 13-year professional football career that began at Bidvest Wits in 2009, and ended at Moroka Swallows in 2022.
One of the things he spoke about was an incident that occurred when his landlady complained about his two rottweilers when he was living in Midrand.
"I stayed at an estate in Midrand and I had two rottweilers. People couldn't pass by because the dogs would climb the walls. They were big but they didn't bite," Langerman opened up.
"The landlord's child would complain that they can't go near my property. She called the SPCA. When I returned home from training one day, I was told the SPCA had taken my dogs."
What Langerman said next shocked the podcast hosts.
"I went back to the pet shop because I wanted to buy two more dogs, smaller ones. When I got there, I saw a python," he said before being interrupted by former teammate and podcast co-host Thandandi 'Bibo' Ntshumayelo.
"I can't look at you the same," Bibo piped in.
Langerman continued: "I decided to buy a snake and told myself I would throw it in their yard because they took my dogs. I wasn't happy because my dogs were my friends. I had a strong bond with those dogs. So, I bought the python. I let it starve for three days and I threw it into their yard," he said about the incident.
Sizwe Nkosi, one of the other co-hosts, disturbed by Langerman's story jumped in: "I understand you're a dog lover. What worries me is that woman has children. Do you have kids?
"A whole soccer player who plays for Sundowns throws a snake into another person's yard. That's unprofessional."
Langerman continued: "Let me tell you something. If you mess with my life, I make sure I finish you before you finish me. Don't mess with me. I was so angry after they took my dogs I wasn't thinking straight. After I threw the snake over, I moved out immediately."
Langerman did go on to add he later regretted the entire incident.
IOL Sport