Rugby: Things are really looking up for Scotland's newest rugby find Joe Ansbro

It might just have been a seven- minute cameo performance from off the bench made by Joe Ansbro for Northampton Saints against Edinburgh in this season's Heineken European rugby cup.

But the appearance has contributed to an enviable record for the 25-year-old centre, who, following an international debut in Scotland's 21-17 win over the Springboks, now boasts a Murrayfield record of played two, won two. More importantly the Cambridge University natural sciences graduate (2:1 degree), who was born in Glasgow but moved south after primary school in Dumfriesshire, has sights set on adding to success which, he admits, came after just a moment of anxiety last weekend.

Said Ansbro, who is hoping to double his cap tally this weekend against Samoa in Aberdeen: "As the clock began to tick down South Africa gave us a reminder of what they were capable of with a big (forward) drive and, against teams of their quality, you can never be sure of when the win is in the can.

"Nevertheless, we were very focused on ensuring they didn't escape once we had them in their own half for the final few minutes and all the guys were talking and communicating to ensure that something devastating didn't happen to us.

"So, when time was up and Rory Lawson booted the ball into the crowd I jumped up and down thinking it was all over.

"Then, a fraction of a second later I noticed that none of the others had reacted like that and the ref was still to play the full-time whistle.

"I thought 'oops there is still a bit to do and we've put the ball into touch' only to be relieved when that whistle did arrive to leave all the players buzzing."

The ultimate dream debut that comes with victory over reigning World Champions had been secured by a player who only came into the side 24 hours beforehand when Max Evans failed to recover from nerve damage to his shoulder, an injury known as a 'stinger', and, in many ways, the short notice had helped, said Ansbro.

"Maybe the next step is to get my name in the programme which didn't happen because of the way the call up came.

"But what really mattered was the way coaches and fellow players got behind me.

"The coaches told me to do what I normally did for my club and just simplified things.That was appreciated because if they had complicated it with a lot of technical and fancy stuff it could have been a nightmare.

"I received a basic brief and set out to express myself where possible and, while my first touch wasn't as early as I'd have liked on a day when the slippery ball required a lot of concentration, I was able to block outside factors so much so that I got on to the end of a charged down kick to get over the gain-line."

An international career was up and running, not that the 14st 7lb and 6ft Ansbro is taking anything for granted.

Much has been made of the fact the Springboks grew increasingly rattled with constant questioning of refereeing decisions and, while encouraged by that, Ansbro remained on alert.

"It was brilliant to see how much we had frustrated them.

"But the problem when opposing great players like South Africa have is that they can change things around seemingly at the flick of a switch if you are not careful."

Fortunately, Scotland knew how to close out victory and through Ansbro extra depth has been added to the international pool although, but for the vigilance of the scouting system, he is one who might well have got away.

Back in October 2008, before Ansbro had been brought into the Scotland A set-up, the Northampton Chronicle reported under the headline 'Ansbro impresses in front of England coach': "The centre combination is something England have been trying to sort out for quite a while.

"Ansbro has played just two Guinness Premiership games but he showed last season and in the European Challenge Cup that he has got the credentials to succeed in the top flight.

"England have been missing a try-scoring centre .?.?. and Ansbro has a nose for the whitewash.

"Ansbro is quick, a strong tackler and already a stickler for detail, talking more about the try that got away on Saturday, rather than the one he scored."

Not only that but he is one plucked by Scotland from under English noses making Saturday's events all the sweeter.

"We were very focused on ensuring they didn't escape once we had them in their own half"