The 27-year-old will bring up his 100th premier game for the club just a few weeks after stablemate and fellow prop Simon Knight reached the milestone.
"I’ll probably be a bit nervous, I’m not going to lie. But it probably won’t sink in until a few hours later, when I reflect on reaching 100 games," Mata’afa said.
"It is a pretty big achievement."
To bring up the milestone at home at Bathgate Park will add to the occasion as well. Mata’afa grew up in South Dunedin and honed his skills around the suburb’s rugby paddocks.
"I’m a South Dunedin man. I went to Forbury Primary, Macandrew Intermediate and then made my was across the road to King’s High," he said.
"I’ve been a Southern guy ever since I was a junior. It just made sense for me to come over when I finished high school."
Mata’afa, who has played seven games for Otago, captained King’s High School First XV the last time it beat Otago Boys’ High School, which was 10 years ago. It is still a source of pride for the big fellow who loves getting his hands on the ball and barging his way upfield.
While he is a hard man to stop on the field, off it he is a quietly spoken and gentle character. Mata’afa works for The Mount Cargill Trust, as a support worker supervising people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
He is engaged to Sia Lei and they look after their godson, Fiaali’i Fereti. He is not a big drinker but will celebrate the milestone with a beer or two.
The game promises to be an interesting encounter. Both sides are confirmed in the playoffs but it is Southern’s last home game and potentially it is a dress rehearsal for the playoffs.
"Kaikorai have been tracking well. They had a wee hiccup last week but they have some good players in their team and they can tip over anyone on their day."
Kaikorai suffered its first defeat since round six last weekend with a 22-18 loss to University. Southern leads the competition with 12 wins from 14 games but it lost to Kaikorai 32-29 when the two two teams met earlier in the tournament.
Southern shapes as one of the favourites to go on and win the competition. But Mata’afa said history helped keep his expectations in check.
"This is probably my seventh year in prem footy and I think I’ve lost about five semis. Touch wood, this could be our year."