Setephano (23) has been hampered by a sore left calf, which he first injured while playing for the Highlanders against the Chiefs in Hamilton in late March.
The injury curtailed his Super 14 - he played eight games and one off the bench - and he has since had four false starts in getting back on to the field.
He played one warm-up game against Southland for Otago but re-aggravated the injury, and managed only one game for his new club side, Zingari-Richmond.
Unavailable for the first game against Southland in the Air New Zealand Cup, Setephano will make his debut for Otago today against Canterbury.
Setephano said he had had assurances from the Otago medical staff about the injury, and the leg had felt fine at training this week.
"It's been quite frustrating as I've never really had many injuries in my career," he said.
Setephano said it was a great effort by the side to beat Southland last week.
"We were up there in the stand and the crowd was giving it to us right at the end. But we had the last laugh."
The former Hamilton Marist player has been earmarked for future leadership by the Otago coaches and was named vice-captain of the Otago squad.
He had captained various age group sides, and his club side in Hamilton, and said it was an honour to be viewed as a leader in the squad.
"But I take the view we have a lot of experienced guys in our side, and they will be there to help lead the side."
Waitaki Boys High School will play South Otago High School in the under-18 premiership final at Carisbrook, starting at 12.10pm.
A schoolboy march past will follow this game.
