The club was founded in 1871, out of the Southern Cricket Club, and originally played under both association rules and rugby union rules.

[1] Southern was one of the original 16 teams to enter the inaugural Scottish Cup.

By 1875 the club had dropped the association football section and was solely playing rugby.

[4] The club wore red and white jerseys and stockings, with blue knickerbockers.

[6] As a rugby club it played at Mossfield Park in Strathbungo.