Soakai (28), the Otago captain for the past couple of years, will leave for Japan early next month, taking up a two year contract with the Kubota Spears Club just outside Tokyo.
He leaves having played 60 games for Otago and will earn his 58th cap for the Highlanders when he faces the Blues at Eden Park.
He says there has not been a huge amount of time to think back over his career in the past few weeks.
"You only really get to think about it when you are in your own time and your own space. Just thinking about the last time at Carisbrook for the captain's run, last time you might be at training," he said.
"But you never know, Rugby can be a pretty precious time. Sometimes it might turn left and then it might turn right. Who knows ? I could be back playing rugby for Otago one day."
Soakai said he was keeping up to date with events in Japan and was excited about the next stage in his life.
`I'm so used to being in Dunedin for close to 10 years and just doing what I've always done. But now I'm going to be doing something so different. I'm pretty excited about it."
Soakai said looking back in his time in Dunedin, there were some great memories.
"It's been great. I'm just pretty grateful and humble to be able to come down to Dunedin and enjoy it the way it has worked out. It was a bit of gamble to come down here but a couple of mates had come down to Uni and I did not want to get caught up in Auckland system."
The Auckland born and bred flanker eventually graduated with a physical education degree though it took a lot of work.
"That was a highlight. It was a bit of a battle, took me five and a half years, but I got it done.
"Student life is part of it. Being a scarfie is real fun. You get to a time when enough is enough and you want to do something else. And it has come to that. I'm married now and now is time to do something different."
His wife, Debbie Soakai, the captain of the New Zealand women's volleyball team, will join him in Japan, as the couple get ready to enjoy life outside Dunedin, after meeting at University.
"Dunedin has got lots to offer. I'd raise my kids here. I would do it without a second thought - apart from the cold, and that. It's not as as big as Auckland, much easier to get around here."
He said looking at lowlights, losing the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Southland last year was a downer, as were close losses for the Highlanders in the past few seasons.
"That shield game was one of those games when you thought it was in the bag. But it slipped. And it was disappointing over the past couple of weeks here, but if you look at this year to the last couple of years it has been a massive improvement.
"The leadership group has really grown and the coaching staff is one of the better ones.
"The important thing for next year is we have kept the bulk of these guys here. That's something to build on. We've never had that for the last six or seven years, so I think that is a credit to the coaching staff."
Soakai said he has had second thoughts about leaving, especially with the team doing so well at the start of the season, and he was enjoying coach Jamie Joseph's style so much.
"He is real technical but he knows what he is talking about. If something is not being done right he will let you know. He's straight down the middle, and that is what you want to hear.
"The team has grown because of that. It's a good thing and keeps you pretty honest. Maybe as an individual you don't like it, but it is the best for the team and the team comes first."
