Chad Solomon
{{short description|South African rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use South African English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox rugby union biography
| name = Chad Solomon
| image =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|02|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bellville, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.78}}
| weight = {{convert|101|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school = Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch
| university = University of Cape Town
| relatives =
| position = Hooker
| currentclub = {{Rut|Stormers}} / {{Rut|Western Province}}
| youthyears1 = 2007–2015
| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Western Province}}
| years1 = 2014–present
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Western Province}}
| apps1 = 55
| points1 = 100
| years2 = 2019–present
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Stormers}}
| apps2 = 10
| points2 = 0
| years3 = 2019
| clubs3 = {{Rut|Southern Kings}}
| apps3 = 1
| points3 = 0
| amatyears1 = 2014–2015
| amatteam1 = {{Rut|UCT Ikey Tigers}}
| amatapps1 = 15
| amatpoints1 = 10
| repyears1 = 2012
| repteam1 = South Africa Schools
| repcaps1 = 3
| reppoints1 = 0
| clubupdate = 23 July 2022
| repupdate = 18 April 2018
}}
Chad Solomon (born 23 February 1994) is a South African rugby union player for the {{Rut|Stormers}} in Super Rugby and {{Rut|Western Province}} in the Currie Cup and in the Rugby Challenge.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=43028 | name=Chad Solomon | date=19 August 2016}} His regular position is hooker.
Rugby career
=2007–2012 : Schoolboy rugby=
Solomon was born in Bellville. He represented his local {{Rut|Western Province}} provincial union since primary school level, when he played at the Under-13 Craven Week tournament held in Krugersdorp in 2007.{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=6111 | team=Western Province U13 | compid=581 | comp=2007 U13 Coca-Cola Craven Week | accessdate=19 August 2016}} He progressed through the youth ranks, playing for Western Province at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in 2010{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=8178 | team=WP | compid=780 | comp=2010 U16 Grant Khomo Week | accessdate=19 August 2016}} and at the premier high schools rugby union competition in South Africa, the Under-18 Craven Week, in both 2011{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=8689 | team=WP | compid=819 | comp=2011 U18 Craven Week | accessdate=19 August 2016}} and 2012,{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=13861 | team=WP | compid=1401 | comp=2012 U18 Craven Week | accessdate=19 August 2016}} scoring a try for Western Province in their match against the Blue Bulls in the latter tournament.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=110981 | homeid=13861 | awayid=13871 | leagueid=1401 | hometeam=WP | homescore=27 | awayscore=47 | awayteam=Blue Bulls | matchdate=10 July 2012 | date=19 August 2016}}
He was selected in a South Africa Schools team after the 2012 Craven Week{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=14841 | team=South Africa | compid=1441 | comp=2012 SA Schools 2012 | accessdate=19 August 2016}} and featured in all three matches in the Under-18 International Series held between South Africa and their counterparts from France,{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113231 | homeid=14841 | awayid=14871 | leagueid=1441 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=17 | awayscore=7 | awayteam=France | matchdate=10 August 2012 | date=19 August 2016}} Wales{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113251 | homeid=14841 | awayid=14861 | leagueid=1441 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=24 | awayscore=16 | awayteam=Wales | matchdate=14 August 2012 | date=19 August 2016}} and England.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113271 | homeid=14841 | awayid=14851 | leagueid=1441 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=36 | awayscore=29 | awayteam=England | matchdate=18 August 2012 | date=19 August 2016}}
=2013–2015 : Youth, Varsity Cup and Vodacom Cup rugby=
Solomon joined the {{Rut|Western Province}} academy after school, and made eleven appearances for the {{Rut|Western Province U19}} side in the 2013 Under-19 Provincial Championship. He scored tries against {{Rut|Free State U19}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=108914 | homeid=14484 | awayid=14464 | leagueid=1424 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=22 | awayscore=5 | awayteam=Toyota Free State | matchdate=31 August 2013 | date=9 November 2016}} and {{Rut|Border U19}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=109024 | homeid=14494 | awayid=14484 | leagueid=1424 | hometeam=Border | homescore=7 | awayscore=36 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=27 September 2013 | date=9 November 2016}} in a disappointing season which saw the defending champions failing to qualify for the semi-finals, finishing in fourth spot.{{SA Rugby Log | id=1424 | comp=2013 Absa Under 19 Competition | date=9 November 2016}}
At the start of 2014, Solomon made seven appearances for the {{Rut|UCT Ikey Tigers}} in the 2014 Varsity Cup competition. The team won five of their seven matches during the regular season to finish in second place on the log.{{SA Rugby Log | id=1694 | comp=2014 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International | date=9 November 2016}} Solomon was an unused replacement as his side beat Western Cape rivals {{Rut|Maties}} 20–8 in the semi-final{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=117304 | homeid=17214 | awayid=17164 | leagueid=1694 | hometeam=FNB UCT 1ST XV | homescore=20 | awayscore=8 | awayteam=FNB MATIES | matchdate=24 March 2014 | date=9 November 2016}} He came on for the final eight minutes of the final against {{Rut|NWU Pukke}} in Potchefstroom, where he was part of a comeback that saw UCT fight back from 33–15 down with five minutes to go to score a 39–33 victory, to win the competition for the second time.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=117324 | homeid=17224 | awayid=17214 | leagueid=1694 | hometeam=FNB NWU-PUKKE | homescore=33 | awayscore=39 | awayteam=FNB UCT 1ST XV | matchdate=7 April 2014 | date=4 July 2016}}
In between playing Varsity Cup rugby, Solomon also made two appearances for {{Rut|Western Province}} in the 2014 Vodacom Cup; he came on as a replacement in against their defeat to the {{Rut|Sharks XV}} to make his first class debut{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=117874 | homeid=17584 | awayid=17604 | leagueid=1734 | hometeam=Cell C Sharks XV | homescore=25 | awayscore=7 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=15 March 2014 | date=9 November 2016}} and against the {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}} a fortnight later.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=118034 | homeid=17544 | awayid=17604 | leagueid=1734 | hometeam=Border Bulldogs | homescore=16 | awayscore=29 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=28 March 2014 | date=9 November 2016}}
He was intermittently used by {{Rut|Western Province U21}} during the 2014 Under-21 Provincial Championship, making six appearances during the regular season, starting three of those. His side finished top of the log, winning eleven of their twelve matches,{{SA Rugby Log | id=1834 | comp=2014 Absa Under 21 Competition | date=9 November 2016}} and progressed to the final, where they lost to the {{Rut|Blue Bulls U21}}s.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=121164 | homeid=18474 | awayid=18454 | leagueid=1834 | hometeam=Western Province U21 | homescore=10 | awayscore=20 | awayteam=Blue Bulls U21 | matchdate=25 October 2014 | date=9 November 2016}}
He was the undisputed first choice hooker for {{Rut|UCT Ikey Tigers}} as they attempted to defend their title in the 2015 Varsity Cup; he started all seven of their matches during the regular season, scoring a try against the {{Rut|CUT Ixias}} in a 90–8 win{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=137634 | homeid=23554 | awayid=23594 | leagueid=2194 | hometeam=FNB UCT | homescore=90 | awayscore=8 | awayteam=FNB CUT | matchdate=2 March 2015 | date=9 November 2016}} as UCT finished in third spot to qualify for the play-offs.{{SA Rugby Log | id=2194 | comp=2015 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International | date=9 November 2016}} Solomon started their semi-final against {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}} in Bloemfontein and scored one of two tries in the match, but it proved to be futile, with the home team winning 21–10.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=137794 | homeid=23574 | awayid=23554 | leagueid=2194 | hometeam=FNB UFS SHIMLAS | homescore=21 | awayscore=10 | awayteam=FNB UCT | matchdate=30 March 2015 | date=9 November 2016}} At the conclusion of the competition, Solomon was included in a Varsity Cup Dream Team{{cite web | url=http://varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-news/smith-takes-charge-of-dream-team/ | title=Smith takes charge of Dream Team | publisher=Varsity Cup | date=13 April 2015 | accessdate=14 April 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424015139/http://varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-news/smith-takes-charge-of-dream-team/# | archive-date=24 April 2015 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} that played in a match against the South Africa Under-20 team.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=142484 | homeid=25434 | awayid=25444 | leagueid=2384 | hometeam=Varsity Cup XV | homescore=24 | awayscore=31 | awayteam=South Africa U/20 | matchdate=21 April 2015 | date=9 November 2016}}
He was also the first choice for the {{Rut|Western Province U21}}s during the 2015 Under-21 Provincial Championship, starting eleven of their fourteen matches, coming on as a replacement in one more match. He scored a try in a 51–22 victory over the {{Rut|Blue Bulls U21}}s{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=147014 | homeid=27044 | awayid=26994 | leagueid=2544 | hometeam=Blue Bulls U21 | homescore=22 | awayscore=51 | awayteam=Western Province U21 | matchdate=22 August 2015 | date=9 November 2016}} as Western Province clinched top spot on the log.{{SA Rugby Log | id=2544 | comp=2015 Absa Under 21 Competition | date=9 November 2016}} Solomon started their 43–20 win over {{Rut|Golden Lions U21}} in their semi-final match,{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=147234 | homeid=26994 | awayid=27034 | leagueid=2544 | hometeam=Western Province U21 | homescore=43 | awayscore=20 | awayteam=Golden Lions U21 | matchdate=17 October 2015 | date=9 November 2016}} and also the final against {{Rut|Free State U21}}, which Western Province won 52–17 to secure the title.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=147254 | homeid=26994 | awayid=27014 | leagueid=2544 | hometeam=Western Province U21 | homescore=52 | awayscore=17 | awayteam=Free State U21 | matchdate=24 October 2015 | date=9 November 2016}}
=2016–present : Western Province=
Solomon returned to first class rugby action in 2016, playing for {{Rut|Western Province}} in the 2016 Currie Cup qualification series.{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=30724 | team=DHL Western Province | compid=2824 | comp=2016 Currie Cup Qualifying | accessdate=9 November 2016}} He made ten starts and three appearances off the bench in Western Province's fourteen matches, of which they won thirteen to top the log.{{SA Rugby Log | id=2824 | comp=2016 Currie Cup Qualifying | date=9 November 2016}} Solomon had his most proficient try-scoring season of his career, scoring no less than six tries, against {{Rut|Griquas}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=158604 | homeid=30724 | awayid=30774 | leagueid=2824 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=24 | awayscore=23 | awayteam=Griquas | matchdate=28 May 2016 | date=9 November 2016}} the {{Rut|Griffons}},{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=158744 | homeid=30724 | awayid=30784 | leagueid=2824 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=43 | awayscore=26 | awayteam=Down Touch Griffons | matchdate=18 June 2016 | date=9 November 2016}} the {{Rut|Falcons}},{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=158854 | homeid=30824 | awayid=30724 | leagueid=2824 | hometeam=Hino Valke | homescore=31 | awayscore=59 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=24 June 2016 | date=9 November 2016}} the {{Rut|SWD Eagles}},{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=158904 | homeid=30724 | awayid=30744 | leagueid=2824 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=45 | awayscore=17 | awayteam=SWD Eagles | matchdate=2 July 2016 | date=9 November 2016}} the {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=159014 | homeid=30734 | awayid=30724 | leagueid=2824 | hometeam=Boland Cavaliers | homescore=14 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=9 July 2016 | date=9 November 2016}} and the {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}},{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=159044 | homeid=30724 | awayid=30854 | leagueid=2824 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=52 | awayscore=26 | awayteam=Border | matchdate=16 July 2016 | date=9 November 2016}} to finish as Western Province's joint-top try scorer with winger Khanyo Ngcukana.{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=2824 | comp=2016 Currie Cup Qualifying | date=9 November 2016}}
Solomon was included in {{Rut|Western Province}}'s Currie Cup squad for the 2016 Currie Cup Premier Division{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=33664 | team=DHL Western Province | compid=3044 | comp=2016 Currie Cup Premier Division | accessdate=19 August 2016}} and named on the bench for their opening match of the season against the {{Rut|Blue Bulls}}. He made his Currie Cup debut by coming on for the final 25 minutes of a 26–45 defeat.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=166094 | homeid=33654 | awayid=33664 | leagueid=3044 | hometeam=Vodacom Blue Bulls | homescore=45 | awayscore=26 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=5 August 2016 | date=19 August 2016}} However, Solomon suffered an ankle injury during the match and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.{{cite press release | url=http://wprugby.com/elstadt-and-willemse-return-for-dhl-wp | title=Elstadt and Willemse return for DHL WP | publisher=Western Province | date=7 September 2016 | accessdate=9 November 2016}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Stormers squad}}
{{Western Province squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solomon, Chad}}
Category:Rugby union players from Bellville, South Africa
Category:South African rugby union players
Category:Southern Kings players
Category:21st-century South African sportsmen
Category:Western Province (rugby union) players