As an entity in itself, Scotland's South African tour might ultimately be deemed a failure because a rip-roaring fightback from a 30-11 half-time deficit came up two points short.

The value of a victory over the Golden Lions in the tour ''Test'', which would have seen the side return with a winning record, was demonstrated by the behaviour of coach Jim Telfer towards the end.

Unable to get messages across from the stand, he charged down to the touchline, where he was animated as at any time in that famed ''Living with Lions'' performance, when he was repeatedly calmed down by Ian McGeechan, whilst quarrelling with Springbok supporters.

The national director of rugby's agitation made a mockery of those who dismissed this tour as merely a development trip.

Few know better than Telfer just how important it is to win and to keep winning, whether upon the field of play or indulging in speech play. Winners want to win, weaker individuals look for excuses, or compromises.

That there is a far harder edge to modern Scottish rugby than in the recent past was demonstrated when they emerged victorious from matches they might easily have lost in the past at Border and Northern Free State.

Before meeting Mpumalanga, Telfer was dismissive of the effects of altitude.

The medics offered sound physiological reasons for why the team under-performed in the early stages of that game. Telfer sought no excuse.

Scotland must learn that, whatever the circumstances, they must deal with them and win. Kevin McKenzie rightly remains proud of the Springbok head he earned as captain of the Scotland A side which beat South Africa in 1994.

That the Boks were playing in alien conditions, up to their knees in glaur at The Greenyards, is irrelevant.

That, then, is why we saw Telfer, eyes blazing, leaping from the bench, trying it on in attempting to replace an injured centre with a previously substituted prop.

Ultimately, perhaps because Glenn Metcalfe, making one lung-bursting run too many, did not release Craig Joiner earlier, perhaps because the winger did not cut infield to offer a better option, Scotland did not win.

Metcalfe, having put in what his coach described as a ''world class'' performance, received a severe dressing down afterwards.

Yet it was also Telfer who said earlier in the trip that touring is about setbacks and what you take from them.

Desperation to win was evident throughout, but this visit to the Dark Continent was also a true rugby safari, seeking to discover how Scotland's old lions are coping with wounds accumulated over many years and whether the cubs are coming of age.

There were four distinct categories - those who played prominent roles in the Five Nations; those undergoing re-habilitation; established and semi-established players looking to rebuild or build top level careers; and up-and-coming talent.

None of the Five Nations men did anything less than expected.

Metcalfe emerged as The Famous Grouse player of the tour, but perhaps only because Cammy Murray missed out on the last match due to a severe stomach upset.

The main missing ingredient remains finishing pace, but those two in particular seem increasingly confident in their ability to beat and get away from opponents.

Tom Smith, Gordon Bulloch, and Paul Burnell are the first-choice front row, George Graham an excellent footballing back-up, while Stuart Grimes improves with every game.

Martin Leslie and Budge Pountney were superb throughout, while Stuart Reid's abrasiveness and work-rate are well known. Gary Armstrong is, of course, Gary Armstrong.

In returning from injury, half-backs Bryan Redpath and Duncan Hodge are heading back to their best, while Doddie Weir was doing likewise until injured against Mpumalanga.

Jamie Mayer did not seem as committed in his running as previously, though that is perhaps as much down to quality of defences as any tentativeness on his part.

Matthew Proudfoot is not the player he was in Australia last year, but fitness coach David McLean believes that, having spent so much of last season sidelined, he carries so much bulk - the other commodity other than finishing pace that Scotland is short of - that he needs more recovery time than most.

Rowen Shepherd's form was worrying. Replaced during the first match because, according to Telfer, he had lost confidence, he never seemed to rediscover it. His versatility is valuable, but Shepherd may have ground to regain before the World Cup 30 is finalised. The wrist and shoulder damage he returned with will not help.

Of those trying to force their way into the World Cup squad, Craig Chalmers had a disappointing first outing in Border, but looked much better as a replacement in two subsequent appearances, which could help him run Hodge close for a World Cup berth.

Craig Joiner scored two well-taken tries, but still needs to get more involved.

It was a hard tour for Steve Brotherstone, confined, due to Rob Russell's emergence to an appearance as a replacement after so many bench appearances in the past. Cammy Mather, meanwhile, played well in the first game and as a late replacement in the final two, but back-row competition is intense.

New boys James McLaren - his directness in providing a target for his pack - and Russell - quick and competitive - did much to enhance their World Cup chances.

Looking longer term, Chris Paterson impressed out of position at full back, while Alan Bulloch, though likelier to end up in midfield, seized the chance offered by Murray's last-day incapacity, and Jason White merely needs more rugby in the back row.

At lock, both Andy Lucking and Iain Fullarton can go on to become international players. That, too, applies to Craig Moir, while Rob Hunter appears to need more games at higher level.

''We've got more players than we thought,'' Telfer said, before indicating that the selectors are now very close to finalising their World Cup squad.

Consider that the absentees included Scott Murray, Gregor Townsend, John Leslie, Alan Tait, Kenny Logan, Shaun Longstaff, Dave Hilton, Peter Walton, and Eric Peters, while last year's player of the tour, Gordon Simpson, is on the mend. Then consider Telfer's further observation: ''There are players coming through who are almost as good.''

That Scotland's pool of available talent is widening was confirmed by backs coach John Rutherford. ''We're now very close to knowing our World Cup squad,'' he said.

''That second half against the Golden Lions went a long way towards making the tour a successful one. If we had been badly beaten heads might have gone down a bit and people would have asked whether it was worthwhile. Now there's no question.

''We've discovered some new, young talent that has proven itself on the hardest rugby grounds.''

Exposure to South African methods was, he believed, another huge benefit. ''It gives us a far better idea of how South Africans play ahead of our World Cup meeting.''

Telfer endorsed that observation. ''It's been a very worthwile exercise because of the strength of the opposition,'' he said.

''There are so many huge men that you have to move around in rucks. That will be the same when we face them in the World Cup on October 3.''