Otago Boys' leads the Highlanders First XV competition with 10 wins from its 10 games and has a five-point lead over Southland Boys' with just one more round-robin game left.
Midfield back Michael Collins and No 8 Brodie Hume were in the team last year and have been selected again.
Former Otago and Southland representative and coach Phil Young has been named coach of the Southern Region team for the annual tournament against teams from the Chiefs, Hurricanes and Blues franchises.
"It proves that we have a very good development programme in the region," Young said. "It is a tribute for the way the Otago Boys' coach Ryan Martin has been developing his players.
"There has been a high standard of rugby in the Highlanders competition this year.
"The players just need the opportunity to prove themselves at a higher level."
The manager of the Otago Boys' team, Brian Ashwin, said that seven players in the Southern Region team was a record for the school. Otago Boys' had five players in the 24-strong squad last year.
It is also a record for Southland Boys' which has five players in the squad.
John McGlashan is represented by tighthead prop Tom Scanlan.
He comes from Roxburgh and is a boarder in Dunedin.
"Tom is a self-made player and has worked hard on his fitness this year," John McGlashan coach Mike Idour said.
It is six years since the Southern Region side won a game at the annual tournament but Young is confident of its chances this year.
"It is a privilege to be in a team like this and they have all been selected on merit," Young said.
The Southern Region team plays the Chiefs next Tuesday with the victor playing the winner of the Hurricanes v Blues encounter in the final.
Highlanders First XV players
in Southern Region Team
Otago Boys': Michael Collins (midfield), Brodie Hume (No 8), Lachlan Landels (prop), Josh Dickson (lock), Michael McKee (lock, No 8), Sean Connor (fullback), Troy Callender ((flanker).
Southland Boys': Ryan Carter (hooker), Jackson Wallace (halfback), Nick Hayes (flanker), Sven Penwarden (midfield), Keanu Kahukura (centre, wing).
John McGlashan: Tom Scanlan (prop).
Coach: Phil Young (Dunedin).
