So disconsolate did Stuart Hogg look as he watched the closing stages of Saturday’s encounter with the Springboks from the sidelines that there was inevitable concern that the two-time British & Irish Lions full-back had suffered a major injury problem.

On-field treatment to the same ankle that had undergone surgery less than two months earlier, an injury from which he had returned more than a month ahead of the official prognosis, having resulted in his departure from the fray, it was inevitable that the fear would be that he had paid the worst possible price for returning too quickly.

Yesterday, however, he was at his most ebullient as, after declaring his fitness and readiness to take on Argentina’s Pumas next weekend, he discussed the short, medium and long-term future at what is an exciting time in his life.

“I woke up this morning feeling much better than I did yesterday. Got the recovery done and looking ahead to Saturday,” he said in dismissing the most immediate concerns.

In saying so he rather let the cat out of the bag in terms of public pronouncements on injuries within the Scottish professional rugby scene, indicating that he even when it was announced that he was effectively out of the autumn Tests earlier in the season, he had been given reason to remain optimistic.

“You always give the longer scenario, so people aren’t asking questions if you don’t hit that timeline, so we had a timeline in mind and thankfully we managed to reach the target,” said Hogg.

“There was a lot of hard work done along the way, some gruelling times, some tough times during the rehab and its only seven weeks and two days post-surgery that I played. It was frustrating to get injured again after last season, but I feel fresh and ready to get wired into this week again. Being injured is challenging. We had a target in mind and thankfully managed to hit it. I’m feeling good, feeling fresh and excited to go.”

He also acknowledged that there is an element of needing to be protected from his own enthusiasm.

“The problem was that last season I was injured for seven out of ten months, and I just want to be playing rugby at every single opportunity,” Hogg admitted. “The beauty of the last couple of years is that I’ve learned a hell of a lot about my body and its come to the situation now that I do realise what has to be done. I’m not as young as I used to be. I used to be able to go out and ping drop-goals in the warm-up for fun, but nowadays I’d probably pull my hamstring off the bone, so it is about looking after the body and making sure I am in the best possible place to train and play well.”

Which is all the more reason that he looked so despondent when he had to leave the pitch in the closing stages of Saturday’s match after the last of a series of electrifying runs which indicated that the player who was the Six Nations player of the championship in both 2015 and ’16 is getting back to his best.

“I felt more dejected to come off, if I’m being honest, but Doc (James) Robson and Gregor (Townsend, Scotland’s head coach) made the call and I respect their decision. The game was just starting to open up a little, so it is frustrating that these things happen, but it is just part and parcel of playing rugby that you pick up these little niggles every now and then.

“It is frustrating to come off but the boys gave everything and unfortunately just came up short.”

What might have happened had Hogg still been on the pitch to capitalise as players tired and space opened up on the pitch will never be known, but that is now history in any case, whereas Hogg has everything to look forward to as he prepares for another international match in what is his last season in Glasgow before he joins Exeter Chiefs.

Sam Skinner, his newest international colleague who plays for the Chiefs, having denied all knowledge of the move 10 days ago, Hogg claimed he had been gleaning information from his unsuspecting future clubmate for some time.

“I actually spoke to him about it the first time I met him in St Andrews, but being the big, dumb forward that he is, he didn’t click onto anything about it, but he’s given me a few good spots to have a look at” laughed the full-back. “I’m going to go down next weekend and have a little look around and see what the place has got to offer. So exciting times.”

He might want to think about how he refers to those who do the donkey work before approaching another old friend who is on the Exeter books after expressing the hope that former Scotland prop Moray Low, who runs a construction company in Devon, might be prepared to offer him discount on a new home, but such considerations are on the back burner for now.

“I’ve heard nothing about good reports about Exeter and the club and the culture they’ve got down there,” he said. “I’m really excited to get started with them next season, but it is a long way away yet and a hell of a lot of rugby [this season] still to be played.”