The colts squad named yesterday included midfield backs Michael Collins (Taieri), Fa'asiu Fuatai (University A) and Teihorangi Walden (Southern), lock Jackson Hemopo (Green Island) and loose forward Hadleigh May (Harbour).
Highlanders back Jason Emery, from Manawatu, has also made the 28-strong squad.
They will head to France in June, when New Zealand will try to reclaim the world under-20 title it lost in South Africa last year.
Otago's brush with liquidation last year cast a cloud over the province but the selection of five players in a national side suggests good things are happening at lower levels.
Otago had just one player in the 2012 (Hugh Blake) and 2011 (Brad Weber) colts teams. There were three in 2010 (Liam Coltman, Tom Franklin and Hayden Parker), none in 2009, one in 2008 (Josh Townsend), two in 2007 (George Whitelock and Ben Smith), none in 2006 and one in 2005 (Craig Clare).
Otago has not had more than four colts since 2000, when it had eight: Josh Blackie, Carl Hayman, Filipo Levi, Tom Willis, Grant Webb, Hale Tu'uhoko, Seilala Mapusua and Dave Gibson.
Academy manager Tim Colling was ''absolutely stoked''.
''We've made a conscious effort to focus on our young players and bring them through into national teams if possible,'' Colling said yesterday.
''We want to make sure these guys are part of the future of Otago rugby. Then, hopefully, they go on to Super rugby and the All Blacks.''
Collins, from Queenstown and schooled at Otago Boys' High School, is the only homegrown player in the bunch.
Walden (originally from Taranaki), Fuatai (Auckland), May (Waikato) and Hemopo (Palmerston North) had all transferred to Otago for studies and rugby, and were now as blue and gold as anyone, Colling said.
Only Auckland (six) contributes more players to the squad than Otago.
Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea is the most prominent selection. Southland halfback Tayler Adams is another on the rise. No fewer than 12 of the players appeared in the ITM Cup last year.
The colts squad is coached by Chris Boyd, assisted by Chris Gibbes and Liam Barry.
New Zealand under-20
The squad
Forwards: Adam Burn (Waikato), Joe Edwards (Auckland), Jordan Manihera (North Harbour), Hadleigh May (Otago) Ardie Savea (Wellington), Scott Barrett (Canterbury), Jackson Hemopo (Otago), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Christopher Vui (Auckland), Donald Brighouse (Wellington), Epalahame Faiva (Waikato), Nick Grogan (Manawatu), Alexander Hodgman (Canterbury), Sione Mafileo (North Harbour), Kalafi Pongi (Counties Manukau), Boyd Wiggins (North Harbour).
Backs: Joe Webber (Waikato), Lolagi Visinia (Auckland), Leroy Van Dam (Auckland), Penikolo Latu (Hawkes Bay), Michael Collins (Otago), Jason Emery (Manawatu), Fa'asiu Fuatai (Otago), Teihorangi Walden (Otago), Simon Hickey (Auckland), Jade Te Rure (Manawatu), Tayler Adams (Southland), Sheridan Rangihuna (Hawkes Bay).
