The Old Golds have found a winning formula the past couple of weeks and will be looking for more against Poverty Bay at the Oamaru Showgrounds.
The Old Golds had a strong 45-36 win against defending champions Thames Valley last week, following up from a 48-19 win against East Coast on the road.
That gave North Otago two wins and two losses from the opening four rounds and pushed them up to eighth spot.
Poverty Bay are an intriguing prospect and have put out good performances this season.
They sit fourth on the Heartland Championship table after beating Buller 38-3, East Coast 18-8 and Horowhenua-Kapiti 26-19.
Old Golds coach Luke Herden has sprung a couple of changes.
University prop Steve Salelea gets his first start at Heartland, as does lock Lagi Poasa, which moves Mitch Morton back to blindside. Excelsior winger Sevanaia Druma gets the nod on the wing and Matia Qiolevu remains at centre.
Three players will also make their debut off the pine.
Energetic Blues halfback Te Meihana Williams gets his chance to pull on the gold jersey, as does hard working Old Boys flanker Sailosi Vea provides loose forward cover.
Athletic Marist midfielder Posiano Kamoto is always a big ball carrier and will provide punch in the middle.
South Canterbury host neighbouring rivals Mid Canterbury in what shapes as the game of the round. Mid Canterbury holds top spot on the table on points, but both teams are yet to drop a game after four rounds.
Horowhenua-Kapiti will put the Bill Osborne Taonga on the line for the first time, after winning it off King Country last week, when they host West Coast.
Buller play Thames Valley and East Coast meet Whanganui.
Heartland Championship
Oamaru Showgrounds, 2.30pm
North Otago: Ben Paton, Sevanaia Druma, Matia Qiolevu, Tini Feke, Ben McCarthy, Kenta Iemura, Kippei Taninaka, Junior Fakatoufifita, Savenaca Rabaka, Mitch Morton, Lagi Poasa, Anthony Docherty, Steve Salelea, Hayden Tisdall, Kelepi Funaki. Reserves: Cameron Rowland, Jake Greenslade, Lisivani Tuifua, Asaeli Ngahe, Sailosi Vea, Te Meihana Williams, Lachlan Kingan, Posiano Kamoto.
Poverty Bay: Kyoni Te Amo, Joe Tikicidre, Cohen Loffler, Anthony Karauria, Matt Proffit, Tayler Adams, Henry Saker, Uini Fetalaiga, Lennox Shanks, Niko Lauti, Leka Palusa, Harawire Kahukura, Iose Brown, Ngahiwi Manuel, Toma Laumalili. Reserves: Saigeon Carmichael, Lance Dickson, Sam Hudson, Selisio Palusa, James Grogan, Liam Beattie, Te Reimana Gray, Braedyn Grant.
