Going into the four-match Autumn Nations Series the general consensus was that Scotland needed to beat Fiji and Portugal convincingly, give the Springboks a run for their money and close out the year with a win over Australia. So, in that sense, it was a job well done.
Gregor Townsend oversaw a positive autumn with the dangerous Wallabies vanquished, but there are gnawing sores to fix.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has confirmed number eight Jack Dempsey will miss their final autumn Test against Australia and in all likelihood a key chunk of Glasgow’s season as he awaits a specialist verdict on his shoulder injury.
Five clubs from the Gallagher Premiership, the Top 14 and Japan are already on the starting line to open talks with Scotland and Lions superstar Finn Russell when he enters the final year of his £1.2million contract with Bath next July, RugbyPass understand.
Tom Jordan has been rewarded for his impressive debut off the bench in last week's record 57-17 win over Fiji with a place in Scotland's starting line-up against South Africa on Sunday afternoon.
Scott Cummings believes Scotland have to beat one of the best teams ever to grace world rugby if they are to realise their own dreams of joining the elite.
Scotland player ratings: Gregor Townsend's men put Fiji to sword, with Darcy Graham scoring four tries in a virtuoso performance.
Edinburgh prop D’Arcy Rae is in line to make his first Scotland start against Fiji on Saturday if Zander Fagerson has to pull out.
The Scots were 31-19 winners in Montevideo on July 27, an historic day when Duhan van der Merwe became his country’s all-time record try scorer.