Jonothan Ruru of Otago looks to break a tackle by North Harbour players Chris Vui (left) and Murphy Taramai when the two sides met last year. Photo: Gregor Richardson.
It is set to face North Harbour on Thursday August 17 at 7.35pm at North Harbour Stadium. The next game, on Sunday August 27, sees it face Canterbury in a Ranfurly Shield challenge in Christchurch.
Of the Premiership sides, Tasman and Auckland will both travel to Dunedin, while Otago will travel to play Wellington, along with North Harbour.
Meanwhile North Otago begins its season on August 26 against Horowhenua-Kapiti.