TOMMY Bowe admits his career has ‘‘really rocketed’’ as the British and Irish Lions prepare to launch him at world champions South Africa.

Less than two years after failing to make Ireland’s World Cup squad, Bowe is in the form of his life.

He is a cast-iron certainty for the Lions’ first Test team against the Springboks on Saturday, having scored four tries in three games and also proved a devastating midfield game-breaker.

Bowe’s ability to rove off his wing and enhance the Lions’ attacking armoury could not have been better illustrated by his starring role on a blustery afternoon beneath Table Mountain.

The 25-year-old claimed one touchdown and memorably broke three tackles to set up another for his probable Test strike-partner Ugo Monye.

While substitute James Hook’s nerveless late longrange penalty clinched a 26-23 verdict for the Lions against Western Province, his fellow Osprey Bowe – more than anyone else – had set up the possibility of a fifth successive tour win.

‘‘I am playing with confidence at the moment,’’ he said.

‘‘When I get the ball I am feeling happy to take defenders on and play my own game.

‘‘I am enjoying my rugby.

I’ve had a good season, I’ve got myself into a bit of form and I am enjoying myself playing in Wales.

‘‘Things have really rocketed in the last year. To be in a position where I am hopefully in contention for the first Test is something I have always dreamed of.

‘‘I can’t take anything for granted.

The (Test) team is going to be picked on Tuesday, and fingers crossed I’ve done enough to get myself in there.’’ If the Lions are to stun South Africa in Durban, they must win individual battles all over the pitch.

And there is hardly a more mouthwatering contest ahead than the one b e t w e e n I r e l a n d G r a n d S l a m w i n n e r B o w e a n d Springboks try machine Bryan Habana.

‘‘For me to be here seems very special,’’ added Bowe.

‘‘It’s the pinnacle of any rugby player’s career, so if you didn’t enjoy it there would be something wrong. I am playing with a smile on my face.

‘‘We’ve been playing with a lot of different combinations, and it is a case of getting everything correct for Saturday.

‘‘Coming over here we were going to be underdogs, and that’s the way we want to be.

I think if people write us off, they will get a shock.’’ Lions head coach Ian McGeechan will draw up the Test team following tomorrow’s game against a newlyformed Southern Kings side in Port Elizabeth.

McGeechan’s main selection debates appear to concern the front five, notably props and lock, where Nathan Hines and Alun-Wyn Jones are battling to be chosen as captain Paul O’Connell’s second- row partner.

Everything seems straightforward behind the scrum, although Hook could still put pressure on fly-half favourite Stephen Jones after continuing to impress.

The Lions scored three tries – Bowe, Monye and flanker Martyn Williams touched down – before Western Province fought back from 18- 9 adrift to set up a thrilling finish.

Full-back Joe Pietersen’s try hauled them level at 23-23 – he had earlier dropped a goal, while fly-half Willem de Waal kicked 15 points – before Hook put the boot in.

‘‘We always knew Western Province would probably be the strongest team we’d faced so far,’’ said McGeechan.

‘‘Maybe we tried to play a bit too much rugby at times. It was blustery with a wet ball, which meant there was always going to be a high error count.

‘‘There are going to be some tough selection calls. We’ve got to where we are now, and we have got one game left before the first Test match.’’