Southland have won rugby's Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 50 years, beating Canterbury 9-3 in Christchurch.
Canterbury dominated territory and possession, but superb defence by Southland held them out at AMI Stadium on Thursday night.
The score was 3-3 at halftime, with the difference being two second-half penalties to Southland first five-eighth Robbie Robinson.
The last 10 minutes saw desperate attempts by Canterbury to score the converted try they needed, but Southland's defence held.
Southland last held the shield in 1959 and the win should secure them a semifinal spot in the Air New Zealand Cup next weekend.
