CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 30, Allister Coetzee and Bryan Habanna during the Super Rugby match between DHL Stormers and Crusaders at DHL Newlands on March 30, 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa Photo by Luke Walker / Gallo Images
The South African rugby community was in shock on Saturday following the news of the passing of well-known Stormers team manager Christopher “Chippie” Solomon.
Solomon passed way on Saturday morning. He was Stormers team manager from 2004 and took charge of over 350 games.
The Stormers said of Solomon: “A respected educator and administrator, a loving father and husband and a revered rugby man, Solomon will be missed by countless players, coaches, learners and staff whose lives he impacted over a full and significant career.
“Husband to Pearl and father to Nina and Chad, Solomon also acted as a father figure within Stormers Rugby, providing guidance and support to generations of players who all knew him affectionately as ‘Uncle Chippie’
“A vibrant personality who was passionate about the people around him and was defined by boundless energy and selfless work ethic, he was a invaluable community member who travelled the world with the Stormers and represented the team and people of the region with consummate professionalism.”
‘Brought passion to everything’
Solomon was born in Newlands and raised in Bontheuwel. He was a teacher, coach and headmaster at Westridge High School in Mitchell’s Plain before moving into rugby administration.
A fearsome hooker and loose forward in his playing days, he represented Western Province Schools under the banner of the SA Rugby Union and was heavily involved in club rugby, serving as the Life President of Kuilsriver Rugby Club.
He was appointed as a coach and selector of the SA Schools team, and moved into the professional structures as a team manager for various junior teams before taking up the position with the Stormers senior team in 2004.
Stormers Rugby CEO Johan le Roux said that a giant of the game has been lost.
“Chippie brought passion to everything he did and embodied the values of our sport. Our thoughts are with his family and all those whose lives he touched over what was an incredible career.
“Our supporters will all miss his familiar presence and the entire rugby community is in mourning over this sad loss,” he said.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that there will never be another character quite like Chippie Solomon.
“This is devastating news for so many of us. Chippie was a remarkable man who was so much more than just a Team Manager.
“He has been synonymous with our team for so long and represented us with pride all over the world. The deep connection he held with players, coaches and his staff at the High Performance Centre was incredibly meaningful.
“We have just come back from a trip to France, which saw Chippie outdo himself with every detail and arrangement running impeccably.
“He will be remembered as a true rugby man, but more importantly as someone who was fiercely loyal and represented his community and family with distinction in all that he did. Chippie was ‘nullis secundis’,” he said.
