But the 22-year-old University of Otago dentistry student has just finished his mid-term exams and he has the next two weekends off rugby, as well.
He broke his nose during Alhambra-Union's 47-0 loss to University earlier this month and picked up a concussion.
Rugby is a passion but his studies are his priority.
"It is a little bit difficult to manage putting in extra hours on the footy field outside of class, especially this year because my time is so restricted," he said.
He is in his second year of study and has avoided accumulating a monster student loan thanks to a scholarship.
Hotham arrived at Alhambra-Union with a solid reputation having co-captained Hamilton Boys' High School First XV to success at the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament in Japan in 2014.
He is a talented touch player and the previous year was named player of the tournament at the secondary school touch nationals. His school had collected back-to-back titles and he was one of the stars.
He has also represented New Zealand at touch at age-group level.
Hotham has found himself with No13 on his back a lot this season.
He would rather be firing off passes from halfback but Alhambra needs him in the midfield.
The team has undergone a transformation of sorts. It is still collecting heartbreaking last-minute losses but last winter the backline was stacked with players adept at evading tackles.
Some of those star backs have moved on or are unavailable.
The previous game plan was to get it wide and get it wide fast. But with the twinkle-toe count having dwindled, the forwards are holding on to the ball for longer.
"It is a full 360. Our game plan at the moment is more forward-based. Once we are in the 22 we kind of keep it in the pack. Last year we would have swung it wide.
"But it has been good to see the forwards take a massive step up."
Alhambra has recorded just two wins this season and is out of the playoff picture.
It plays Harbour at Watson Park tomorrow which will be a tough game for the Broncos.
But Hotham said the team was determined to finish well and score as many wins as it could.