The defending champion has 13 players back from last year and will be tough to crack.
Two of the sides which challenged last year, King's High School and Southland Boys' High School, are rebuilding, while Gore High School will again be in the mix.
The two Oamaru schools, Waitaki Boys' High School and St Kevin's College, are committed to the competition, although their junior sides will play against sides from South Canterbury.
The competition is to be called the Fulton Hogan Highlanders First XV competition after the infrastructure company agreed to sponsor the schools grade.
At the end of the round robin, the leading team will be awarded the Otago Daily Times Cup. The winner of the top-four playoffs will get the Fulton Hogan Trophy.
The cost of the competition, $85,000, will be met by sponsorship and the schools.
Three games are to be televised on the Rugby Channel.
James Hargest High School, Invercargill, is the new face in the competition. It beat Verdon College in a playoff last year.
Highlanders First XV
The teams
Otago Boys' High School
Last year: First.
Coaches: Ryan Martin and Bevan Townsend.
Key players: Hooker Sekonaia Pole, flanker Troy Callander, halfback Josh Renton, midfielder Aleki Morris, fullback Sean Conner.
The oil: Otago Boys' has 13 players back from last year and its intention is to win the cup again. It has the biggest forward pack fielded by the school in the four years of the Highlanders competition and a backline that will make efficient use of the ball.
Southland Boys High School
Last year: Beaten finalist.
Coach: Marty Smith.
Key players: No 8 Jordan Stewart, winger Nathan Frisby, fullback Henry Burns.
The oil: The perennial contender should still be in the mix this year but has lost most of last year's side and is in a rebuilding year.
Gore High School
Last year: Third.
Coach: Wayne Blakeborough.
Key players: Centre Hayden Stephen, lock Logan McKee, lock Stefan Blakeborough.
The oil: Has lost some key men but should still be competitive. Needs to be more ruthless on attack and keep concentrating for the whole game.
King's High School
Last year: Fourth.
Coach: Darryl Paterson.
Key players: Flanker Ben Johnson, No 8 David Dam, first five-eighth Daniel Dam.
The oil: Will be in complete reconstruction mode this year after losing more than 15 players from last season. Some promising young talent but may lack some size.
Waitaki Boys' High School
Last year: Fifth.
Coaches: Willy Guyton and Dallas Newlands.
Key players: Fullback Jamie Robb, second five Levi Fogarty, flanker Don Lolo, lock/prop Tui Katoa.
The oil: The men in black have been consistent performers in the competition and are again aiming for a top-four spot. Half the team is new, but some players return for a third season. The backs will be dangerous if they get some good ball.
Kavanagh College
Last year: Sixth.
Coach: Ant Harris.
Key players: Hooker Joe Weatherall, No 8 Nathan O'Brien, second five-eighth Soane Amato.
The oil: Has about seven players back from last year but may lack game breakers. Will look for big games against fellow Dunedin schools.
Dunstan High School
Last year: Seventh.
Coaches: Mick Enright and John Ryley.
Key players: Hooker Ryan Fulton, No 8 Kyle Harris, midfielder Sam Galletly.
The oil: It is a young but talented Dunstan team this year with only seven members of last year's team back. The 19 recruits include fast backs who were in the school's under-16 team that won its Otago-wide competition last year.
John McGlashan College
Last year: Eighth.
Coaches: Mike Idour and Fred Sutherland.
Key players: Second five-eighth Markis Schaaf, loose forward Cameron Wood, centre Chris O'Connell, hooker Sam Pringle.
The oil: Ten players back from last year and the aim is to get into the top four. McGlashan has a balanced team and intends to play a more expansive game.
South Otago High School
Last year: Ninth.
Coach: Naylor Edwards.
Key players: Fullback Gavin Stark, halfback Dion Shaw, flanker Shane Calder.
The oil: Ten players have returned from last year and the team is expected to be stronger with a pacy backline. The intention is to play the game at speed.
Menzies College
Last year: Tenth.
Coach: Doug Clark.
Key players: No 8 Wade McRae, fullback Greg Dyer, first five-eighth Sam Callaghan.
The oil: After a promising debut last year and backed up by a pre-season tour to Australia, the side from Wyndham will be looking to kick on this season.
St Kevin's College
Last year: Eleventh.
Coach: Justin Fowler.
Key players: No 8 Ash Miller, prop Quinn McNabb, second five Tim O'Malley.
The oil: Could be another tough year for a school with a small pool of boys to choose from. But the team has been working hard on the basics and hopes to be as competitive as possible.
James Hargest High School
Last year: Replaces Verdon College.
Coach: Hugh Andrews.
Key players: Prop Caleb Dick, centre Michael Peterson.
The oil: The new boys on the block. The side draws from a school with a large roll (1800) but may find it initially tough going at this level.
