"It is still a bit surreal to be honest," Priestland said. "Turning up and seeing all of these microphones. I don't really know what to make of it.
"Obviously I'm delighted and I hope I keep enjoying it and it lasts."
Truth be told, Priestland's selection might be coach Warren Gatland's biggest gamble. Eyebrows have been raised that Gatland would place so much faith in the novice when he has the experienced Jones in the stands and the accomplished James Hook on the reserves bench.
It was only injuries to those players earlier in the year that paved the way for Priestland's opportunity.
"That's the uniqueness and strangeness about sport," Gatland said. "Stephen gets a calf strain a couple of minutes before kickoff at Twickenham [in an August warm-up match], Rhys gets thrown in there and takes the opportunity.
"This kid's got something a little bit different about him. He's got a calmness, a coolness. What he didn't have was the experience and he's been lucky enough, unfortunately because of Stephen's injuries and even James Hook's injuries, to bed himself in."
If the likeable and laconic Jones harbours any ill feeling towards the player 10 years his junior, he's doing a remarkable job of hiding it.
"When they named the team he was the first one to come up and congratulate me and that does a lot," Priestland said.
"I know it must be tough for him so I've got to take that into account, but I'm sure if I ask Steve anything he'll be more than happy to help me - it's good knowing that."
While nobody doubts Priestland's talent, he did blow a gift-wrapped opportunity to put the Springboks away with a drop goal in front of the posts, way back in their opening match.
His relaxed demeanour suggests he has not let that eat away at him. As it turned out, Ireland's defeat of Australia a week later probably helped Wales get the quarter-final draw they would have preferred. They know Ireland's game well, and vice versa.
While Gatland banks on youth, his opposite, Declan Kidney, has gone for experience. Eyeballing Priestland across the advantage line will be Ronan O'Gara, he of 115 test caps.
"Ronan is probably one of the best kickers in the game. I've played against him a few times for the Scarlets against Munster and I've always been impressed with him, the way he organises a game and the forwards," said Priestland.
"We're going to have to try to manage him and make sure he doesn't keep putting Ireland in the corners and us under pressure."
The Welsh game is not so focused on territory and smothering. The key, said Priestland, was to have the confidence to play their expansive style when the pressure came on.
"We went into our shells a bit against Samoa and we didn't play particularly well.
"We took a lot from that game ... We have got to get a good balance, but if it is on to run from deep in our own half then we've got to back ourselves to do that."
That attitude has served Welsh No10s very well.
