Following the encounter with South Africa, Rassie Erasmus positioned Scotland among the world's top three teams, presumably behind his own nation and France.

With Rassie, motives behind public remarks often remain unclear, yet the statement still prompted surprise.

After the Fiji contest, Schoeman, who scored two tries this summer, voiced comparable views when questioned on whether Scotland were narrowing the difference with leading sides.

"No, I do not sense we are closing the gap," he noted. "I believe we stand as a top-three or top-five team worldwide. We have shown this against Argentina away, France and England, where we compete with and defeat the leading sides.

"South Africa, Ireland and the All Blacks represent fixtures where success has been limited. Those may be the games to target against the strongest opposition, aiming for a complete eighty-minute performance."

Top-three status represents a considerable claim, although moments arise where Scotland look equipped to move past previous difficulties versus Ireland and New Zealand.

They will meet the Kiwis in the autumn and Ireland in the spring, both at Murrayfield.

Although the Nations Championship delivered plenty of tries and entertainment, the Six Nations continues to serve as the key indicator of real progress.

Scotland are advancing in a positive direction, but summer and autumn fixtures have often given an inconsistent picture of their true level.

Value the quality of their rugby across the last three weeks while keeping perspective. The Six Nations and World Cup remain the decisive arenas.

Not long ago, Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe appeared certain selections. Three Lions, three highly skilled players with distinct strengths and impressive try-scoring records.

Graham and Van der Merwe have been overtaken by Kyle Steyn, Dobie and Kyle Rowe, an outcome that would have seemed improbable a year earlier.

At present Rowe merits inclusion on the wing or at fifteen, even if it sidelines Kinghorn despite his quality. The Toulouse player received the summer break.

He will return in the autumn motivated and ready. This situation aligns precisely with what Townsend seeks: competition for places fuels any successful squad.

Huw Jones, among Scotland's finest historical players, occupies this competitive environment too. Rory Hutchinson has integrated smoothly alongside Tuipulotu, while Stafford McDowall also contends for selection.

Jones, a three-Test Lion from last summer, now finds himself on the fringes ahead of a move to France. Only an unwise observer would dismiss him, yet his position on the edges highlights the depth of options available to Townsend.

The victories over France, England and Argentina together with the strong display against the Boks indicate Scotland are advancing gradually, yet the final steps from entertaining sides to consistent winners prove the most demanding.

Schoeman reflected on the defeat to South Africa and highlighted elements the Boks executed effectively.

"They shifted into another gear, finding extra energy and hustle, which we discussed as a group," he remarked.

"When pressure mounts, the squad must access third, fourth and fifth gears while demonstrating the desire to recover quickly after line breaks.

"Killing the ball and disrupting tempo allows time to regroup. We have gained valuable lessons and view the tour as a success. Scottish rugby looks promising with major autumn fixtures ahead, leaving us enthusiastic."

He has experienced similar situations previously, as has the wider group. The anticipation stems from added depth and ongoing improvement alongside uncertainty over longer-term outcomes.