Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt says Southland's rugby victory against Counties-Manakau means a great deal to the region.
Southland held onto the Ranfurly Shield on Saturday night with a 13-9 win in Invercargill, despite a spirited challenge.
The score was 7-3 at half-time.
It was Southland's fourth successful defence of the Shield and the Stags are also on top of the ITM Cup.
Mr Shadbolt says the win lifted the whole province and having the Shield has created a lot of excitement and pride.
He reckons "everyone in Southland has been photographed with the Shield", which has even "been to eight funerals." He says it's "just unbelievable."
