Thomas Johnson (17), a year 13 pupil at Kaikorai Valley College, has been selected in the New Zealand open men's touch team, the Touch Blacks.
Of the thousands of men who play touch across the country every week, Johnson is one of the top 16 players, and has been named in the nation's top side.
The team will travel to Australia later this month for a three-test series against Australia in Mudgee, New South Wales, and Johnson will be right in the thick of the action.
Johnson, who says rugby league is his No 1 sport, is the youngest Otago player ever to make the Touch Blacks, and is the only male from Otago to make the team.
It is believed he is the youngest male from the South Island to make the squad, although this has not been confirmed.
He has previously played in the under-15 mixed, under-17 boys and under-19 men's national squads.
After he impressed in the under-17 side last year, he received a text late last year to attend a training camp in Auckland for the open men's side.
Johnson, who will play on the wing, said he was initially overwhelmed at the camp but once he started playing, he was fine.
He must have done something right to get the call-up in a squad dominated by players from the North Island.
Johnson was shocked to get called up but would be trying his hardest when he put on the national jersey.
He dreams of a professional league career and paid tribute to his school coach, Damian Burden.
''I owe it all to Damian, really. He has helped me so much - just taught me all about the game. He is so passionate about it. He just lives and breathes the sport.''
Johnson plays rugby, at first five-eighth, and will play for John McGlashan College in the Highlanders First XV competition to allow him to play at a higher level.
