Ranfurly Shield Preview: Southland take on Canterbury

Southland’s famous 25–10 victory over Waikato last weekend handed them the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 2011. Now, they must defend it immediately and their first challenge couldn’t be tougher. On Saturday at Rugby Park in Invercargill, unbeaten NPC leaders Canterbury arrive with history on their minds.

For Canterbury, the fixture carries extra weight. They currently share the record with Auckland for the most successful Ranfurly Shield challenges — 16 in total. A win this weekend would move them clear with 17, an outright record in one of New Zealand rugby’s most storied competitions.

The Ranfurly Shield, often called the Log o’ Wood, has been contested since 1904 and is unique in world rugby. Rather than a league or knockout format, it is defended challenge by challenge. Any team that beats the holder in a Shield match takes it immediately, making for dramatic swings and unforgettable upsets. Auckland’s 61-match defence between 1985 and 1993 remains the longest reign, while smaller unions treasure every chance to lift it.

For Southland, it’s about backing up last week’s upset, while Canterbury will arrive in Invercargill chasing a place in the history books. 

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• The Shield is named after the Governor of New Zealand at the time, the Earl of Ranfurly.

• It is traditionally made of trophies’ oak wood, giving it the nickname “Log o’ Wood.”

• Some of New Zealand rugby’s most famous upsets — like North Auckland taking it from Auckland in 1960 — are remembered for generations.