The league win follows a pre-season 2-1 win over Canterbury in Timaru, and was achieved despite defenders Matt Joy and David Hayman being unavailable, and the loss of the dynamic Tom Connor after only five minutes, when he crumpled with a hamstring injury.
George Milne scored the only goal of the game to put a broad smile on the face of new Southern coach Mike Fridge.
''The boys were tremendous. They stuck to the plan we had and worked their socks off,'' Fridge said.
''We knew for spells of the game they would be on top but we held strong and when we had our chances we always looked threatening.
''It was a big game for us and we wanted to get something out of it. The players knew that and I thought we were the hungrier team.''
Southern started well, with substitute Nick Hindson adding extra pace to the attack. The speedster burned past defenders to reach Canterbury's line, and slid over a low, measured cross that Milne drilled past keeper Danny Knight to put Southern ahead after 34 minutes.
Prior to that, both sides made chances but failed to get on target. Canterbury's Rossi Nkoy jinked past several attempted tackles but few shots were launched, as Southern centrebacks Andrew Ridden and Cam Attwood tackled ferociously, and all the predictable high crosses were fielded by keeper Tom Batty, who had a steadily impressive match.
Spurred on by an exotic duo in midfield, Chilean Eder Franchini Pasten and French captain Victor da Costa, Southern won more than its share of possession, and always had more options available, as Tim McLennan showed appetite, Ross Howard and Craig Ferguson made alternating runs forward, and Milne worked tirelessly in the engine room.
Target man Tom Jackson ran his heart out, pressurising Canterbury's defence, and stole some possession that should have provided another goal. His huge throw-ins also set coach Sean Devine's side a few problems, and there were more long desperate clearances than is normal.
Predictably, Canterbury poured forward in the final minutes, winning corners and free kicks, but keeper Batty gobbled up the high centres, and Southern's defenders attacked any loose balls that were left.
Only once was there a hypnotising moment when the ball sat a metre from Southern's goal line but, while Canterbury hesitated, Attwood hoiked the ball to safety.
Canterbury coach Sean Devine berated his side's lack of shots.
''First half, we were poor,'' Devine said.
''I probably look at myself a little bit, regarding selection and system, and the buck stops with me.
''We were below par and we know what we need to improve.''
Southern United's next game is against Waitakere, at Forsyth Barr Stadium, at 1pm this Saturday.
ASB Premiership
The scores
Southern United 1
George Milne
Canterbury United 0
Halftime: Southern 1-0.
