The Invercargill school beat King’s 35-15 in the Southern Schools Rugby Championship final in miserable conditions at Les George Oval in Invercargill on Saturday.
Southland Boys’, the defending national champions, were beaming after winning back-to-back titles, even if they were covered in splatters of mud and soaked from the steady rain.
Coach Jason Dermody was proud of his young men after their efforts against a King’s side who tested them to the end.
"We knew it was going to be tough against King’s," Dermody said.
"They’re a really good side, they’re really well coached.
"We knew we had to be up for it.
"The boys played really well, so that was pleasing."
He was proud of how they adapted to the conditions, trying to force mistakes in the right parts of the field and letting their forwards go to work.
First five Mika Muliaina came in handy with the boot, banging over 12 points for his side.
Centre Crenshaw Conroy scored in the opening five minutes to give Southland Boys’ the ideal start.
Flanker Jared Reid and second five Jimmy Read added tries to give Southland Boys’ a 19-0 lead at halftime.
King’s hit back early in the second half from a nice try to Niko Boylan.
Southland Boys’, not wanting to let the visitors get in the game, bustled over again through hooker Jake Evans.
But King’s really stood strong and scored twice through winger Jeremiah Tuhega-Vaitupu and hooker Riley Boylan to close the gap to 26-15.
Muliaina banged over two penalties in the final quarter to put the game out of reach.
Southland Boys’ will face Nelson College, who edged Christchurch Boys’ 20-17 in the Crusaders final on Saturday, in the South Island final.
The winner of that game will head to Palmerston North for the national finals next month.
Southland Boys’ 2nd XV beat Dunstan High School 17-7 in the division two final in Invercargill.
Waitaki Boys’ beat Otago Boys’ 2nd XV 42-14 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the division three final, and Central Southland beat Cromwell 50-3 in the division four final in Winton.
