itm cup

The Southland Rugby Football Union was founded in 1887 and celebrated its centenary in 1987. There have been notable Ranfurly Shield reigns, particularly throughout the 40's and 50's. Since then there have been a number of close challenges, most notably a 13-9 loss to Auckland at Eden Park in 2008. Southland finally ended a 50-year Ranfurly Shield drought by defeating Canterbury 9 - 3 on October 22, 2009.