Buckman (24) started the season not totally out of the picture, but hardly front and centre.
The Hawkes Bay outside back was a member of the Highlanders wider training squad and appeared to be well back in terms of getting a start.
But people got injured, medical issues arose and all of a sudden Buckman had his chance. And he has grabbed it.
He will play his 10th straight game tonight against the Lions and said his previous stint with the Hurricanes was driving him to play well for the Highlanders.
''I was there [Hurricanes] for three years and I got three caps the whole time. It was more holding a hit pad than actually playing,'' Buckman said.
''I learnt a few things. It was very frustrating. They had a quality back three and centre so it was tough to get a start. But it is good to come down here now and get a bit of game time.
''Things have sort of come my way down here. There were a few injuries which have given me a chance. It is unfortunate for them but I am just making the most of it.''
Buckman said those memories of standing watching games at the Hurricanes from 2010 to 2012 drove him to play as well as he could now.
''I guess holding a hit pad for all that time just makes you more excited to get out there and do as well as you can. It is a lot faster than the ITM Cup and a lot more physical. The Africans love running a lot more straighter at you.''
Buckman got on the scoreboard for the Highlanders in the trip to Africa, scoring a try against the Sharks in the 34-18 victory, his first try at this level.
''It was about time, really. It was good to get off the doughnut and hopefully there are a few more to come.
''We are pretty pleased with the way we have gone. That last game was pretty disappointing as we should have won that game but just missed out.
''I think we were not quite on our game to start with and they probably played one of their better games of the season. We started making a few wee mistakes and that cost us in the end.''
Buckman will be back in the South again next year, his good efforts over the past couple of months earning him a contract with the Highlanders for 2015.
''I was looking at going overseas, to be honest, before all this happened. Now I have signed on for another year and I'm happy to be down here, really enjoying it.''
Buckman, who has two older brothers, will have a new wing partner tonight, with youngster Jason Emery getting his first start of the season.
Emery will want to make the most of the game time and his tricky feet will be an asset.
This match is something of a potential banana skin for the Highlanders.
Most have written off the Lions but they are not a bad side. Like all South African teams, they have some big forwards and their loose forwards will not lie down.
The backs are of a good size and they have some some speed on the outsides.
The Highlanders have made the long trip back from South Africa but if they want to stay in contention, a win tonight is paramount. They need to do the basics well and then the rest will come.
In a sideline, both coaches - Jamie Joseph and Johan Ackerman - have been coached by Laurie Mains.
Mains coached Joseph for Otago and the All Blacks, while Ackerman played for the Cats in 2000-01 when Mains was at the helm.
• The Highlanders made a late change to their team yesterday with Shane Christie dropping out of the starting XV.
The openside flanker injured his back at training on Thursday but should be right for next week. He has been replaced in the starting line-up by John Hardie.
There is no change to the reserves.
