They will have to weigh in under 85kg, though.
The team will represent the province in the New Zealand Barbarians Under 85kg Cup.
The tournament is in its third year, but this is the first time it has been open to teams from the South Island.
New Zealand Rugby is very keen to grow the grade, but without affecting regular club rugby.
For that reason the games are being staggered to avoid scheduling conflicts, and the Carisbrook Bush Pigs will make their debut on Monday. They will play the Mud Dogs at the Pleasant Point Domain at 2pm.
It is a knockout format. The winner will progress to the second round and play the Canterbury winner.
Manager Thomas Grant is pleased with the team they have been able to put together.
Finding props who dip under the weight limit was a challenge, so there will be a few players adapting to new roles.
But the Bush Pigs have some real talent in the halves in Southern pivot Riku Kitahara and University halfback Kieran McClea, while midfielder Josh Buchan will also be a threat.
As for the Mud Dogs, well, there is "no oil on them’’, Grant said.
"I suspect they might be a slightly older team. We’re quite a youthful team with some really sparkly backs."
The Bush Pigs have been training on a Sunday for the past three weeks. They had another brief run together on Wednesday but Grant said the preparation had been deliberately low key.
"This is just a cool wee opportunity for the lads and it hasn’t been a big campaign ... It is just something new and exciting."
