The Ranfurly Shield will stay in Southland for at least another fortnight after the Stags turned back a determined Auckland challenge to win 9-6 in Invercargill and remain top of the provincial rugby championship.
Matt Berquist's second penalty gave Auckland a 6-3 lead just after the break but Robbie Robinson promptly equalised for the Stags before kicking the winning penalty with 10 minutes to go.
It was Southland's first Shield win over Auckland, who'd never lost to the Stags in the provincial championship, and Southland co-coach David Henderson paid tribute to his side's resolute defence.
Southland's next challenge is from Canterbury in two weeks time.
