They came, they saw, and they conquered hearts young and old when the Ranfurly Shield reached South Otago yesterday.
The shield and the four accompanying Otago players were warmly welcomed at each stop they made in Milton and Balclutha. .
For injured fullback and former Balclutha lad Tony Ensor, returning to his old high school with the Ranfurly Shield was a proud moment.
''To go back to South Otago High School with the shield was awesome.''
Ensor dislocated the AC joint in his left shoulder in Friday's clash, but hoped to be back in action in four to six weeks.
Team-mates Matt Faddes, Lee Allan, captain Paul Grant and coach Tony Brown are also former South Otago High School pupils.
Teacher Greg Heller congratulated the former pupils, many of whom had played in the school's first XVs.
Former Otago player Richard Knight said it had been a tough few years but that made the win ''all the more special''.
He said Otago was resilient and the team itself had strong roots in its communities.
Yesterday was also extra special for Milton man Graeme Geddes (77), who saw the shield for the first time in 65 years.
Mr Geddes, who used to play rugby for Green Island, was a ball boy in 1948 when Otago defended the shield at Carisbrook.
''It's marvellous to get up close and touch it.
''I hadn't seen it since 1948.
''It's very special to see it in Milton.''
Ruth Williamson travelled to Balclutha from Invercargill with her husband and baby Donald to have a close look at the shield.
Mrs Williamson said she and her husband had lived in both Balclutha and Dunedin, continuing to support Otago despite moving to Invercargill.
The shield, accompanied by Ensor, Jackson Hemopo, Marshall Suckling, and Hugh Blake, visited schools in Milton, before moving on to South Otago High School, the Cross Recreation Centre, and the Clutha Rugby Club in Balclutha.
