The team touched down in Dunedin last night ahead of Saturday’s test against England at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The hospitality industry hopes the match will give the city a real "shot in the arm" after a difficult winter.
More than 30,000 people are expected to attend Saturday’s match — about 20,000 from "out of town".
Otago Hospitality Association president Mark Scully said it had come at a "difficult time" for the industry.
"This is an absolute godsend for hospitality.
"Dunedin has a really good calendar in terms of graduations and university open days. Some of those events have helped prop us up since Easter, but July is really the doldrums — to have a rugby test is just a shot in the arm."
Vault 21 director Andre Shi said the test match was "one of the most important days on our calendar".
"We've been preparing for this for three weeks. It’s all hands on deck."
"A lot of people tend to have a couple of nights. They might stay until the Sunday and take their children at university out to lunch, so a two-to-three day pickup would be the ideal result."
There have been reports of motels and hotels busy in Oamaru as a result of the test.
Bella Vista Motel owner Nancey Du said Oamaru "always benefited when something big happens in Dunedin".
"We’re full-up for the match here, but it was even crazier a few months back when Dunedin had [pop superstar] P!nk."
Outgoing Otago Motels’ Association president Pete Firns said the match was good for the Dunedin economy in general.
"It’s not just about the hospitality and accommodation industry — although I would be surprised if there was a hotel or motel not enjoying significant bookings this weekend — it’s everything else we can offer visitors.
"We've been booking people who are staying an extra night or so and trying out our shopping options or going out on tours to the peninsula."
