They have an important away game against Auckland on Saturday afternoon.
If they can win that, and Canterbury trip up against Taranaki, Otago will qualify in top spot, so there is plenty to play for.
But they have secured a home venue for the quarterfinals and locked away the Ranfurly Shield for the summer, so coach Mark Brown has opted to give some of his players a break to freshen up before the playoffs.
That means Otago have made wholesale changes to their line-up for the first time this season.
Hooker Henry Bell broke his collarbone against North Harbour in Dunedin on Saturday and is out for the remainder of the season.
Veteran rake Liam Coltman will start in his absence and Zingari-Richmond’s A-One Lolofie will make his debut from the bench.
He will not be the only greenhorn on the pine.
Dunedin lock Josh Tengblad and Green Island midfielder Riley Lucas will also get an opportunity to make their debut, while Slade McDowall returns to the Otago team four years after his last outing for the province.
The Kaikorai openside was in excellent form for his club and also stood out in the inaugural Tuppy Diack Shield.
McDowall played 41 games for Otago between 2017 and 2021. He also played 14 games for Manawatū between 2022 and 2024.
There will be plenty of interest in how Tengblad performs. He is an awfully big unit and should make an easy target.
Hard-working centre Josh Timu and classy openside Lucas Casey are carrying niggles, so they have been rested, although they could have played if needed.
Blindside Will Stodart is in a 12-day return-to-play protocol after failing an HIA over the weekend.
Nathan Hastie will start at halfback, with the exciting Dylan Pledger dropping to the bench.
Loosehead prop Abraham Pole will take a seat on the bench as well, which means Ben Lopas will start.
Oliver Haig will start at lock and Joseva Tamani, who had a storming game against North Harbour, will provide cover.
First five Cameron Millar, ever-present this season, starts again on Saturday.
Jae Broomfield shifts to the left wing to spell Jona Nareki, who has had a heavy workload.
Sam Nemec-Vial will get a run in the No 14 jersey, and Charlie Powell comes on to the bench.
There are lots of changes. Otago have taken a risk by resting so many players.
They will be hoping it pays off next week in the playoffs.
Otago team to play Auckland on Saturday, 2.05pm
Sam Gilbert (captain), Sam Nemec-Vial, Josh Whaanga, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jae Broomfield, Cameron Millar, Nathan Hastie, Christian Lio-Willie, Slade McDowall, Harry Taylor, Oliver Haig, Will Tucker, Rohan Wingham, Liam Coltman, Benjamin Lopas. Reserves: A-One Lolofie, Abraham Pole, Moana Takataka, Josh Tengblad, Joseva Tamani, Dylan Pledger, Riley Lucas, Charlie Powell.
