Last year, Central was beaten 31-22 in Ranfurly, and the region has not held the cup since 2010, when it won 16-14 in Cromwell.
Coach Charlie Hore is confident he and assistant Kelvin Middleton have assembled a squad that will be competitive.
''We're definitely going down there to bring the Topp Cup back to Central,'' Hore said.
He has had the usual injury woes and player unavailability but his team is still packed with talent.
''We've had some ears on the ground around the clubs,'' Hore said.
''We're pretty happy with how things are shaping up. There's plenty of X-factor in the team, especially on the bench.''
In the pack, Maniototo and former All Black hooker Andrew Hore and fellow front rower Nic Gee (Matakanui Combined) will be strong and have a wealth of experience at this level.
Arrowtown's John Morrison will provide stability in the locking department, and club team-mate Aidan Winter will be valuable off the bench after returning from overseas.
Maniototo No 8 Josh Beer, Alexandra loosie Blair van der Voort and Wakatipu captain Henry Youngman make up an excellent loose trio.
Hore said the performance of his forward pack would be the key to a win.
''I'm pretty confident our forward pack are good enough to handle South's,'' Hore said.
In the backs, look out for Alexandra point-scoring machine Rory Campbell on the wing.
The Irishman has twice scored more than 20 points this season and is an elusive runner.
Maniototo midfielder Mitchell Lake will provide some solidarity in the backs and captain Ben Purvis will be dangerous on the counter-attack.
Perhaps a concern is having Jai Baxter, normally a halfback, starting the match at first five-eighth.
There is no recognised cover at that position, either, although Lake has experience there.
Hore said the game plan for tomorrow would focus on winning the set piece.
''We just want to dominate the set piece really and then get it wide.
''With having big Josh Beer in the side, it will be all about getting him into the game at set piece.''
Topp Cup
Balclutha, today, 2.30pm
Central Otago: Ben Purvis (captain), Rory Campbell, Bevan Passmore, Mitchell Lake, Matt Holmes, Jai Baxter, Jose Asuaga, Josh Beer, Blair van der Voort, Henry Youngman, John Morrison, Scott Sharpin, Nic Gee, Andrew Hore, Matt Flower. Reserves: Charles Crutchley, Aidan Winter, Carn Parata, Scott Milne, Quintin Smith, Patrick Clegg, Malcolm Sutherland.
South Otago (from): Blair Young, Tim Howie, David Miller, Dylan McKenzie, Craig McKenzie, Kerien Calteaux, James Edgar, Hayden Baird, Kerrod Baldwin, Mala Saimoni, Simon Grant (captain), Semi Lacabuka, Mark McKenzie, Josh Botting, Joey Herbert, Stu Melville, Rhys Harrold, Tony Ralulu, Taina Tamoa, Matt Whaanga, Todd Wells, Dave Larson, Tyler Bichan, Kane Teunissen.
