Glencoe’s Rhinos Wrestling Club has capped off a remarkable season by being crowned KZN Club League Champions for 2025, following a dominant showing across multiple age divisions.

Wrestlers, officials and supporters gathered at The Grey Goose in Newcastle in early December for the Orange Grove KZN Wrestling Association’s annual year-end function and prize-giving ceremony, celebrating a season of growth and success for the sport.

Inspiration from a Springbok wrestler

Former Rhino club member and Springbok wrestler Hlaganipho Shongwe delivered an emotional address as the guest speaker. Shongwe said he was deeply moved to learn that Orange Grove is now the main sponsor of KZN Wrestling.

He shared how, at just 16, he and two fellow Rhino wrestlers were selected to represent South Africa at the African Championships in Egypt. Coming from Glencoe, the trio struggled to raise funds and was on the brink of withdrawing.

“A last-minute meeting arranged by coach Steven Brown with Orange Grove management changed everything,” Shongwe said.

He went on to win silver at the championships, later earning seven African continental silver medals, competing at several world championships and finishing 12th at the World Championships in China.

“I will be forever thankful to Orange Grove, because that was where it all began,” he said.

Rhinos produce league champions

The Rhinos celebrated a host of individual league winners, including Logan Vorster (Girls U6), Ozu Ngidi (Boys U8), Sandre Vorster (Girls U9), Kylie Coetzer (Girls U13), Audi Odidika (Boys U17) and Ricky Basson (Men’s Seniors), among many others.

Additional wrestlers, including Nathan Barnard, Tion Brown, Ruan Eloff and Ruben Eloff, were also recognised for their commitment and achievements.

With champions across nearly every division, the Rhinos’ Club League title came as no surprise, cementing their status as one of KwaZulu-Natal’s leading wrestling clubs.