Country Day heads to Balclutha with a full programme of rugby across multiple grades and age groups, highlighted by the Southern Region premier side hosting Central Otago.
It promises to be another fiercely contested encounter between two proud sub-unions who never take a backward step.
Central Otago arrive as the current holders and will bring a squad packed with class, power and pace.
Their backline shapes as a major weapon with plenty of attacking flair capable of exploiting space in open-field play.
Upper Clutha duo Jack East and Oliver Stirling currently lead the Central Otago competition try-scoring charts with eight tries apiece this season.
East, in particular, possesses exceptional speed and will be a genuine threat out wide.
Former Crescent halfback Josh Cook also returns to Central Otago after relocating to Wānaka over the summer.
Cook will steer the visitors around the park alongside first five Brayden Laing.
Southern Region, meanwhile, will look to assert themselves through their forward pack and physicality in the tighter exchanges.
The Southern coaching staff have selected a mobile and powerful unit.
Props James Agnew and Eddie Teriuea are rewarded for their outstanding club form this season.
Lock Tate Colley returns to representative rugby after injury curtailed his Otago Country campaign last year.
He has been in excellent touch for Clutha throughout 2026.
Dean Sinnamon will provide leadership and experience in the pack and needs little introduction when it comes to Topp Cup rugby.
Sinnamon starred for Central Otago last season with a memorable hat-trick performance and will now be eager to produce the same impact for the South.
Since moving to Clydevale, he has been one of Clutha Valley’s standout performers this season.
The feature fixture is preceded by the Southern Region v Central Otago development clash, while Big River Country will also host a Central Otago women’s side in another exciting addition to a huge day of country rugby.
- Francis Parker
