He sat, and hopefully passed, his final exam for his physical education degree last Friday then found out yesterday he had been named the new Otago captain.
Following in the footsteps of Mike Brewer, Taine Randell and Craig Newby, Soakai (26) is another loose forward to wear the captain's armband for Otago.
The openside flanker made his debut for Otago in 2005 and has played 35 matches for the province.
He did not play for Otago last year, as he had shoulder surgery in July, but came back strongly this season. Soakai was one of the form players in the Highlanders and was picked as an injury replacement for the New Zealand Juniors in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Soakai said he was humbled to have the captaincy, and strong performances were the key to his new post.
"To be honest, it is really important to lead from the front and get out there on the field and put on a good performance."
"It was surprise to be asked by Marto [coach Steve Martin] but I was keen to do some sort of leadership role, and had wanted to do something with the Highlanders in the past couple of years."
Soakai, of Tongan extraction, was born and bred in Auckland and played for the Auckland Grammar First XV, before heading south to attend the University of Otago, and to develop his rugby.
He was loaned to Southland in 2004 for a season before he made his debut for Otago, coming off the bench against the British and Irish Lions in 2005.
The Kaikorai club player said there was a good feeling in the Otago camp, and he was looking forward to a big year.
His shoulder felt fine a year after surgery, and it was a good feeling finishing his exams.
"I actually missed one the first time because I was away in Fiji. But it is a load off my mind knowing I don't have to sit another exam and can concentrate on rugby."
Soakai's partner is New Zealand women's volleyball captain Debbie Hill, a teacher at Otago Girls High School.
