Hore walked off against the Hurricanes on March 15 shortly after the game started, having injured his ribs.
He was expected to miss a minimum of three weeks but has responded to treatment, got through a training run yesterday and was declared fit to play.
He will captain the side, taking over from experienced lock Brad Thorn.
It has been an interrupted season start for Hore, who missed the first game when suspended and played a single full game for the side this season, the loss to the Cheetahs, played in Invercargill.
In the only other change to the forward pack from last week's loss to the Chiefs, prop Tony Woodcock returns after missing last week with a tight hamstring. He was moving freely at training yesterday.
Chris King, who played on the loosehead side last week in his 100th game at this level, moves back to the tighthead side of the scrum.
The Highlanders will field a forward pack with an average age of just under 30.
Jarrad Hoeata remains on the blindside flank, while abrasive Otago loose forward TJ Ioane has been named in the reserves, along with hooker Liam Coltman, who had a fine game last week.
The backline was to have remained the same as last week, but right winger Kade Poki has been unable to shrug off a rib injury and is replaced by Buxton Popoali'i.
