All Black wing Doug Howlett hopes to retain his unbelievable try-scoring record at Test level when he starts for the first time against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town.

The prolific try-poacher boasts eight tries in only seven appearances thus far. What makes his feat even more impressive is the fact that he only started in three of those Tests.

The 22-year-old had to play second fiddle to Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu and Jeff Wilson since he make his appearance on the provincial scene, but this year a number of great performances in the Super 12 and for the All Blacks had forced coach Wayne Smith to promote him to the starting XV.

Howlett says waiting in vain for so long has been tough, but in the same breath says he didn't allow that to get him down. "It was tough, competing with so many good guys on the wing. I was doing all I can and they made no mistakes. But I just had to do what I could and let the selectors do the rest."

Now the Auckland sprinter cannot wait to take on the Springboks. Asked on Thursday to explain his uncanny knack for scoring tries, he was lost for words. "They're just popping up and often in unexpected places. But if the tries are on offer I'm not one to turn them down. If it happens again this weekend, I will definitely take it," he said with a broad smile.

Howlett scored what is believed to be the quickest debut try in Test rugby when scoring 22 seconds after taking the field as substitute against Tonga last year. His try-scoring feats are nothing new, though, as he showed at colts level by bagging four, six and four tries from consecutive international tournaments.

He is over the moon about his inclusion in the starting line-up against South Africa. "To hear my name in the starting line-up was a great thrill and now I'm just looking forward to the game."

Last month Howlett astonished rugby lovers again when he took the field as substitute against France with only a few minutes left. No one gave him a chance to keep his try-scoring record intact, but with his first touch of the ball he got his customary five-pointer.

"It never really entered my mind that there were only a few minutes left on the clock, but after the game a few of the guys came to me and mentioned it. I think Wayne Smith really tried hard to end it, but I wasn't gonna let him."

The youngest man to play Super 12 rugby at the age of 18 years and 230 days relishes the thought of playing with world stars like Jeff Wilson, Tana Umaga and Jonah Lomu. "It's pretty good, I must say. My job is just to run off them, especially Tana. If he could get some of those balls away hopefully he can help me keep my try-scoring record."

On Thursday he was still a bit in the dark about which one of Dean Hall or Breyton Paulse he would be marking on Saturday. But he is not overly worried about his direct opponent. "They have contrasting styles, don't they? Either way, I've played enough against both of them to understand what they are going to do."