In the midst of attempting to establish a new culture within their squad Edinburgh Rugby looked to be in danger of going too far in seeking to bring more of an edge to their play when the South African prop they had signed was banned for biting an opponent’s stomach.

With tone and context removed, Pierre Schoemann’s response when asked if he feared new boss Richard Cockerill might have ripped up his contract when details of that incident emerged, could also, then, be interpreted as treating it worryingly lightly.

“No, because he would have done the same,” Schoeman retorted, before hastily adding that he was only joking.

The quip may not, perhaps, have been in the best taste in any sense but, not least that he owned up to an offence which was not caught on camera, some mitigation can be offered on his behalf. Either way he has, so far, clearly impressed Cockerill since his arrival, as evidenced by the coach’s prediction last weekend that he has the potential to quickly establish himself as a cult figure in these parts and his subsequent claim that he has recruited the best loosehead prop in Scotland.

“He’s settled in very well and he cares about what he does,” said Cockerill. “His set-piece has been very good, so’s his ball carry… he works very hard defensively and he’s quite an amusing fellow which is unusual for a South African. He’s got a good sense of humour. So, he’s a good man, he’s played really well. If he was Scottish he’s be playing for Scotland wouldn’t he? He’s that good. He’s a bloody good player and he’s done very well.”

World Rugby’s new regulations mean Schoeman must spend five years here, so would be in his 30th year before becoming available for Scotland. Talked about as a contender for the Springboks this summer, his ban seems to have been particularly costly in terms of international aspirations since it seems his chance of representing the country of his birth has gone, seeing the prospect of the one in which he has chosen to make his living as more realistic, however distant.

“My focus is Edinburgh but for future sakes my aspirations is to play for Scotland if I am good enough at that time. I will work hard for that, especially under Cockers who brings the best out of all our players,” said Schoeman.“I am going to be here and would love to get a lot of caps like (fellow native South African) WP Nel. If it is five years then it is five years. I would just wait it out and commit to Edinburgh and after that play international if I am good enough.”

To that end he knows he must adjust to a very different rugby environment.

“I am very pleased but still have a lot to work on, especially the set-piece. As coach Cockers mentioned it is a lot more focused on the set-piece,” he said.“Guys like WP who has been here for years and have that experience, can get the better of you at training and I have still a lot to work on. We take the weight and body fat every week just to stay in top condition. That is quite nice and there is a big emphasis on recovery as well. I have been blown away by how professional they are. I won’t say I lacked it, but I have learned a lot more.

“Like (South African-born Ireland flanker) CJ Stander said after the Six Nations, in South Africa he thought he was the top dog playing for the Bulls… coming overseas he is going to show people, but he learned the most by going to Ireland and learning a lot over there. That is the same for me. I came here and I am still learning a lot.”

That said, he also retains considerable pride in his homeland and reckons the Springboks taught everyone in rugby a thing or two when they beat the All Blacks last weekend.

“It was a win not only for Springboks and South Africa but for the whole world,” he said. “It was like a mental-block countries had about beating New Zealand heading to the World Cup. Now that has changed. Maybe people will think England, Ireland or Scotland can beat the All Blacks. Heading into the World Cup the Springboks came through for us all.”

Of course, their win also further reduced the possibility that, however much his game develops in Edinburgh, Schoeman will receive the Springbok call in the next five years, but if he is as committed to Scotland as he now professes to be, it could well prove worth the wait for all concerned.