The SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags will once again hold five home games at Rugby Park in Invercargill, along with and five away games over 10 weeks, before the semi-finals begin on November 20.

Rugby Southland marketing coordinator Jack King said this announcement was huge news for the Southland region and the Stags.

“We (Rugby Southland) are very excited about having springtime rugby, with afternoon games and the potential for New Zealand’s best players making the trip south for our fans to see. It’ll be the biggest show in town," he said. 

Highlanders prop Siate Tokalahi has also signed for the SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup Season.

Formerly of the Chiefs in Hamilton, prop Siate Takolahi, strengthened the Highlanders' prop stocks in 2017 and has since accumulated more than 67 Super Rugby Caps. 

Tokolahi sustained a significant knee injury that kept him out of the back end of the 2018 Super Rugby season and the entire Mitre 10 Cup season. 

However, he came back in 2019 with an impressive season where he stamped his name in the starting side and remains there in the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa for the Highlanders. A strong scrummaging exponent, Tokalahi is looking forward to packing down at tighthead prop for the Stags front row in 2020.

Southland was one of many unions to have offered Tokolahi a Mitre 10 Cup contract, with the SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags being his pick of choice. He has spent the last six seasons with Canterbury. 

SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags coach Dale MacLeod said it was huge win for the Stags. 

“Having Siate join our front row, joining players like Ethan de Groot and Joe Walsh who both have Super Rugby experience this year is great.”

Tokolahi will join the Stags at the end of the Super Rugby season.

The first match of the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup season begins on Friday, September 11, in Hamilton. 

The semi-finals begin Friday, November 20, with the finals starting Friday, November 27.

2020 Mitre 10 Cup Draw Home games:

Sunday 13th September, kick off at 4.35 pm

Southland v Hawke’s Bay 

Rugby Park, Invercargill

Saturday 26th September, kick off at 4.35 pm

Southland v North Harbour 

Rugby Park, Invercargill

Sunday 04th October, kick off at 2.05 pm

Southland v Waikato 

Rugby Park, Invercargill

Saturday 17th October, kick off at 7.05 pm

Southland v Taranaki

Rugby Park, Invercargill

Friday 6th November, kick off at 7.05 pm

Southland v Otago

Rugby Park, Invercargill