Lock Charles Elton, who has played 96 games for the Harbour club and sevens for Otago, will join Woody Kirkwood in the second row.
In the backs, fullback Patrick Pati has gone home for his grandmother's funeral.
That has caused a shuffle. Sam Tatapu will join Lemi Masoe in midfield, while Clement Gasca moves from centre to fullback.
Alhambra-Union loose forward Jacob Coghlan, who last played for North Otago in 2016, will start on the blindside flank.
South Canterbury made the Meads Cup final last season but went down 17-12 to Thames Valley after beating the Valley side 33-24 during the round robin.
Former North Otago coach Nigel Walsh is now in charge of South Canterbury.
His side has had two warm-up games and has struck decent early form considering.
"Our first game was against an Otago side on a wet, cold, windy day," Walsh said.
"The boys played played pretty well. We could have won the game in the last minute but the penalty went wide.
"Last week, we had a good hit-out against Mid Canterbury on a muddy, windy day. We've got a lot of new players compared with the previous year, so things are looking pretty good as we've got a solid core of experienced players, in all 18 players or so are around from last year.
"There has been some good footy played at club level. In fact in club rugby any club could beat others on the day.
"As far as the Heartland is concerned, we'll just be taking small steps and build into things. We hope to make the top four and then it's all on."
North Otago has some solidity in its pack and experience to call on while its backline will look to Masoe and Robbie Smith for experience.
North Otago beat Otago Country 19-12 last Saturday in its final warm-up match. It lost a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago in Oamaru last month.
The Heartland Championship is always hard to pick as teams change players from season to season.
Thames Valley won it last year and should be in the reckoning again along with Whanganui and Buller. East Coast will be looking to win a game after a fruitless run over the past few seasons.
In other first-round games today, Buller takes on East Coast, Mid Canterbury faces Horowhenua Kapiti, Thames Valley plays Poverty Bay, Wairarapa Bush meets Whanganui and West Coast plays King Country.
Heartland Championship
Timaru, today, 2.30pm
North Otago: Clement Gasca, Howarn Packman, Lemi Masoe, Sam Tatapu, Taina Tamou, Lachie Kingan, Robbie Smith, Josh Clark, Marcus Balchin, Jacob Coghlan, Woody Kirkwood, Charles Elton, Meli Kolinisau, Sam Sturgess (captain), Ralph Darling. Reserves: Hayden Tisdall, Kelepi Funaki, Joshua Hayward, Jake Greenslade, Anthony Arty, Michael Williams, Adam Johnson.
South Canterbury: James Wilson-Bishop, Clarence Moli, Shayne Anderson, Miles Medlicott, Kalavini Leatagaga, Faelele Iosua, William Wright, Siu Kakala, Nick Strachan, Anthony Amato, Solomome Lavaka, Regan O’Gorman, Dan Suter, Ben Hewitson, Matt Fetu. Reserves: Cameron Hucker, Tokomaata Fakatava, Philip Fuls, Cam Russell, Zac Saunders, Joel Smith, Theo Davidson.
- By Terry O'Neill