Southland fans try to get their hands on the Shield in Invercargill after their team won it in October in last year. Photo by Peter McIntosh
Assuming the Stags have seen off the challenges of smaller unions North Otago and Wanganui by then, the great provincial rivals will square off for the Shield at Rugby Park in Invercargill.
It will be Otago's third challenge in the space of a year.
The draw for the national championship was released today, along with news of a new naming sponsor. It will now be known as the ITM Cup.
Otago's opening game is against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe on Saturday, July 31.
If Otago can win the Ranfurly Shield, it will have to defend it against Wellington on August 14.
