All Black Ack (Alistair) Soper, who played eight games in the black jersey and more than 100 times for Southland, has died in Invercargill at the age of 83. Soper, a Northern Southland farmer, passed away on Tuesday, leaving behind a strong legacy both on and off the rugby field. Soper, whose father Clarence was also a Ranfurly Shield winner with Southland, remained involved in provincial rugby throughout his life and was Southland Rugby Union president in 1985 after retiring in 1966. In 2001, Soper was awarded a Southland rugby life membership for his services to the club, joining his father who was also a life member. Last year, Rugby Southland named its division one competition prize the Ack Soper Shield.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 18, 2020 22:52 UTC