Beattie (left) and Dewey said they were delighted with their call-ups

The pair are due to face Romania at Murrayfield on Saturday, in the first of Scotland's three autumn Tests.

"The tour was helpful. If I had just been chucked in for the autumn Tests I wouldn't have really known how Frank wants us to play," Beattie said.

He said the South African tour showed he could compete at the top level.

Beattie travelled to South Africa as injury cover for Allister Hogg, while Dewey worked with Edinburgh and Scotland physiotherapist Stephen Mutch as he recuperated from two successive shoulder injuries.

At the time Scotland coach Frank Hadden said the two would benefit from their experiences in South Africa.

Beattie said: "South Africa was a big learning curve in terms of what we are trying to do, where we are trying to go, and what we are trying to achieve.

"Going out to South Africa you realise that everyone is human, and that they are all just young guys like yourself who you are able to compete with.

"I think that's the big thing, once you do get involved you realise that you can do a job with them, and that's what you've got to try to do if you want to play at this level," he added.

Dewey said he was pleasantly surprised at how quickly he had managed to break into the senior side.

"South Africa was good because it gave me the chance to get to know the boys better. In terms of getting to know the team and getting to know the set-up, it was very helpful," he said.

"But it was a surprise to find out I was starting against Romania. I thought I might manage a couple of appearances as a replacement this autumn, so it was a bit of a shock."