Waqar Solaan grew up in a family passionate about rugby. The final year BA (Humanities) student at Stellenbosch University, currently plays centre for Maties and has big dreams for the future. He spoke to SMF News’s Michelle Grobbelaar about his journey into rugby.
Maties rugby player, Waqar Solaan, with the University Sports South Africa Winners award which he won in 2022. Solaan was recruited to play for Maties Rugby in 2018. PHOTO: Supplied/Waqaar Solaan
When Waqar Solaan goes out in public, going unnoticed isn’t easy. Fans of the Maties rugby center would stop to congratulate him on his most recent performance. But Waqar grew up far from fame.
He was born in Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape on 22 February 1999 and spent his early years in Patensie. Growing up in a tight-knit community had its perks for Waqar, who fondly remembers his childhood.
Small-town simplicity
The simplicity of life in a small town meant that everyone knew each other, he recalls. He also grew up playing with his cousins. “I had a nice childhood, I must say,” says Waqar.
With a Xhosa father and a coloured mother, Waqar experienced the richness of growing up in a multicultural environment. His late grandmother used to speak isiXhosa with him whenever he went to visit, yet he also spoke Afrikaans at home.
Waqar received a rugby bursary to attend Grey High in Gqeberha when he was in grade eight. He attended school there from 2013 to 2017. This was his first experience in an English school, and he recalls facing initial difficulties having to attend school in a language other than his mother tongue.
“Stuff like… What is a fraction? I didn’t know what a fraction was,” says Waqar. “I don’t know how, but somehow I managed to get the hang of it,” he says, referring to getting more comfortable attending school in English.
He thrived in a boys boarding school, though he jokes that he and his classmates used to bond during detention. They were really close, and are still friends, he says.
“The key is to go to class and get as much information in as you can,” says Maties inside center, Waqar Solaan. “It’s difficult to focus in class sometimes. You’re tired because you just had a video session.” PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar
Going pro
Waqar decided to play professional rugby when he was still at school.
Although he had participated in athletics previously, it was at Grey High where he got the opportunity to shape on the rugby field.
He soon realised that it could become a career. By 2017, Waqar represented the Eastern Cape Province at the U18 Craven Week. The whole school would go and support Waqar at his matches.
“They say that if you go out of high school, you miss high school rugby. To this day I can say that I really do miss high school rugby,” says Waqar.
After completing his matric in 2017, Waqar’s rugby journey took a significant turn. He says he joined the Western Province Rugby Institute in 2018 to further develop his skills on the field.
It was during a match against the WP Rugby Academy in 2018, that he caught the eye of Kabamba Floors, the head coach of Maties Rugby Club.
“I saw him as a player who can fulfil the needs of Maties Rugby,” says Kabamba, who believed that Waqar could be successful.
Waqar says he then joined Maties Rugby, and by 2019 and 2020 represented the DHL Western Province in the U21 category.
A committed player
Apart from his rugby, Waqar is also currently in his final year of a BA (Humanities) degree at Stellenbosch University and is majoring in psychology and sociology.
His commitment extends beyond academics, and beyond the rugby field, though, as he says that he shares a deep bond with his teammates. “I care a lot about the players and go out of the way to help them,” he says.
Gift Dlamini, currently the captain of the Maties rugby team, has become a close friend of Waqar’s. The two met in 2019, and since then the friendship with Gift keeps him grounded, says Waqar.
“He brings positive energy to training and the people around him,” says Dlamini, who adds that Waqar manages to uplift his teammates with a great sense of humour.
Maintaining a balance between being a student and an athlete is of utmost importance to Waqar. “As long as you go to class, you can keep up with being an athlete,” he says.
Maties inside center, Waqar Solaan (right) with his father, Bidwell Solaan. Waqar says that his father has played a huge role in his upbringing. His father still supports Waqar’s rugby career. Faith and being humble are huge values in their family, says Bidwell. PHOTO: Supplied/Waqar Solaan
Faith is the key
His father, Bidwell Solaan, is a teacher and pastor, and played an important role in shaping his upbringing, says Waqar, who’s parents currently live in Hankey.
“I built my children’s upbringing based upon the pillars of the gospel,” Bidwell tells SMF News. This foundation provides Waqar with stability, ensuring he makes thoughtful decisions guided by the teachings and doctrines of the Bible, says Bidwell.
Bidwell says he knew Waqar was going to become a rugby player because sports runs in the family. Waqar’s uncle, Norman Tsimba Nelson, played for the Eastern Province Kings from 2006 to 2008 and represented the Blitzbok Sevens for a tournament in 2007.
Bidwell also coached for the Barbarians Patensie Rugby club for some time.
Waqar’s ability to excel both on the sports field and in academics, bringing joy to Bidwell, who coached Waqar since he was a little boy.
He supports his son’s decision to follow a career in rugby.
“Now that he plays for Maties, I analyse most of his games,” says Bidwell. The two engage in regular assessments, with Bidwell offering advice on how to improve Waqar’s skills, identifying both strengths and weaknesses in his rugby performance.
Bidwell emphasises the importance of remaining true to oneself and avoiding arrogance. “When you get to the top, you will have those that want to bring you down, but stand firm,” says Bidwell.
The importance of community
Waqar has received various rugby accolades, including the First National Bank (FNB) Varsity Young Guns award in 2019. He was also a cup runner-up in Western Province club rugby 7’s with Maties in 2021, a cup runner-up in senior FNB Varsity Cup in 2022, and was a cup winner in the University Sports South Africa 15’s in 2022.
With his sights now set on the future, Waqar dreams of playing professionally for the DHL Stormers. He also aspires to represent the Springboks one day.
Despite his successes on the field, Waqar says that he remains grounded by the values instilled in him by his parents, who emphasised the importance of education and prioritising his degree.
Waqar is concerned about the youth, and believes that education is crucial in making a difference. He wants to play an active role in contributing to change in his community. He is troubled by the prevalence of alcoholism and drug abuse in his neighbourhood.
“The only thing I can do to help my community right now, is being a role model to the kids and respecting the elders,” says Waqar.
Waqar Solaan believes that being a role model to the children in his community, and showing respect to his elders, is the most impactful way he can contribute to change around him. PHOTO: Michelle Grobbelaar