Papamoa boy Jared Payne has made a dream start to his international rugby career, collecting the prized scalp of South Africa – albeit in Irish green not All Black.

Running out at Dublin's Aviva Stadium as the 1065th player to don the Irish jersey, the 29-year-old helped his adopted nation surge to a 29-15 victory.

Jared Payne made his Ireland debut in the victory over South Africa on Saturday. Photo: Supplied.

For the last three years Payne has been biding his time in Ireland, only gaining residency this year after signing with club side Ulster back in 2011.

Born in Papamoa, it has been a lengthy journey for Jared having played six years at provincial and Super Rugby level before making the move.

Educated at Hamilton Boys High School, he debuted for Waikato in the 2006 NPC before moving to Northland in 2008, notching up 36 caps and captaining the side from 2009-2011.

During this time he played for the Chiefs, Crusaders and Blues at Super Rugby level before shifting his sporting career to the Irish landscape.

Payne, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph prior to the match, says it might not be the black jersey every Kiwi child dreams of but parents Megan and Doug, back in Papamoa, are '100 per cent” behind him.

'They're fully behind it?” he says. 'Mum loves it over here, she's fully behind it and so is dad. They're just happy with what I've done.

'Mum and dad have both been over here. They absolutely love it.”

The South Africa clash saw Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt unveil the new centre pairing of Payne and Connacht youngster Robbie Henshaw, looking at options following the retirement of Irish great Brian O'Driscoll.

There will have been many pundits out there not sold on the Kiwi switching allegiances, but Payne says he is prepared to give it is all for the jersey and his adopted nation.

'When I did get named, I was stoked,” he adds. 'Coming over here, you grow the passion to play for Ireland for the last few years.

'I've just been worrying about my performances for Ulster and when I got called into this camp, I was pretty happy and tried to work towards the team.

'I was just very proud to finally get named in it. And you can't have much more of a Test for your first game, can you?”