South Canterbury have extended their Heartland Championship unbeaten run to 31 games, overcoming Whanganui 40-30 to retain the Meads Cup at Timaru.
Trailling 15-6 within sight of halftime and playing into a strong wind, the home side seized momentum back with tries to flanker Loni Toumhohuni and winger Kalavani Leatigaga, both converted by Sam Briggs, who also slotted at penalty for a 23-15 lead at the break.
Leatigaga grabbed his double within seconds of the restart, as the green-and-blacks took what seemed like an iron grip on the contest, before the 'Butcher Boys' stormed back into contention.
Prop Raymond Salu stormed over for the visitors, halfback Willie Wright dated across to restore South Canterbury's advantage, but winger Terry Tanoa scored in the corner, converted by captain Dane Whale, to bring Whanganui within 33-30.
With five minutes remaining, the southerners took advantage of sustained pressure for replacement Solomone Levaka to plunge over for the matchwinner.
The result sealed South Canterbury's third straight Meads Cup crown, after they overcame Whanganui 47-36 in last year's final.
"To our wives and partners, see you in a couple of days," said Wright, as celebrations began.
South Canterbury 40 (Leatigaga 2, Toumhohuni, Wright & Levaka tries; Briggs 3 penalties & 3 conversions) Whanganui 30 (Seruwalu, Whale, Salu & Tanoa tries; Whale 2 penalties & 2 conversions)