"That's probably the first game they've delivered but hey, let's peak at the right time," delighted coach Nicola Jones said.
Two scenarios loomed for Otago heading into the neighbourhood clash, including the unthinkable - lose and face potential relegation into the second division ranks.
"Sometimes it's in those do-or-die situations that you play your best netball," captain Jodi Brown said.
"That's why we play netball - we love those do-or-die matches. But obviously, you don't want to be there in the first place."
Otago called on its proud history in the sport's top echelon to spark a passionate performance - admittedly a stark contrast to its upset loss against North last weekend.
"We wanted to do it for ourselves because our last game was awful. We knew we could do it," Brown said.
Undoubtedly hungrier from the outset, Otago snatched an intercept from the opening pass and continued to exert pressure throughout the first quarter to lead 13-10 at the break.
But as silly mistakes crept in, Otago struggled to contend with a mounting Canterbury assault, led by the formidable pairing of defenders Anna Galvan and Victoria Smith, who proved a constant nuisance under the post.
With former Silver Fern Maree Bowden returning to the provincial ranks and bolstering its mid-court, Canterbury strung together some dynamic phases and edged into the lead halfway through the second quarter, clinging to a slender 23-21 advantage at half-time.
Brown returned to the court for the second half - a move which reaped dividends for Otago and added an element of stability to its attack.
Both teams refused to budge and struck goal for goal for the majority of the third spell, until Otago nabbed a crucial turnover to swing momentum and rack up five unanswered goals.
Contesting every ball, goal defence Emma Moynihan's relentless approach earned several vital intercepts and transformed her into an instant star on her home turf, coach Jones dubbing her Otago's lethal weapon.
In an attempt to halt Brown, Smith and Galvan swapped bibs, but their efforts proved fruitless against an Otago team intent on restoring its pride.
Leading 40-35 heading into the final spell, Otago upped the ante even further to deliver a crushing blow to Canterbury's confidence.
Canterbury captain Victoria Smith was left lamenting a substandard performance from her team.
"They [Otago] definitely came out firing today. We just didn't have that same hunger really to finish off when we had possession - which was disappointing," she said.
"We're lucky that we didn't have to rely on that game today . . . we've got the talent and depth within our team, but we just didn't gel as we would have liked.
"It's all about all of [the team] stepping up . . . we've all played enough netball to be able to pass and catch and shoot the ball."
National championship
Otago v Canterbury
Otago 57 Greir Campbell 17 goals from 25 attempts, Jo Morrison 18/26, Jodi Brown 20/25, Lizzie Sandom 2/4
Canterbury 46 Shelley Norris 13/14, Ellen Halpenny 41/32, Angela Williams 1/2Quarter scores: 1st, Otago 13-10; 2nd, Canterbury 23-21; 3rd, Otago 40-35.
