Hogg, a regular in the Test back row over the past four seasons, was surprisingly named in the Sevens pool for the final two weekends of the IRB World series.

At Twickenham, Scotland qualified for the semi-finals for the first time this season and at Murrayfield over the weekend they again reached the last four.

This time, last season's World Series champions South Africa needed extra time to defeat the Scots 26-21 to deny the home side their first ever final.

Hogg performed impressively over all four days and set up fellow Test star Sean Lamont for a try in the semi-final against South Africa.

The Edinburgh captain said: “Sevens has been a new challenge and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve made a couple of new friends and I’ve experienced the environment of the sevens as well.

“I’m glad Stevie asked me and gave me this opportunity to come in and play.

“I’m really proud to be part of the squad that got to back-to-back semi-finals.