Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids insists his side can only get better after suffering a baptism of fire in their Pro14 opener against defending champions the Scarlets.
The cut Super Rugby side from South Africa shipped eight tries in a 57-10 defeat at Parc y Scarlets, leaving them in no doubt about the challenge that lies ahead in their debut season in the competition.
The Kings have lost the majority of their squad since the decision was made to axe them from Super Rugby.
And it has left Davids and his coaching team trying to put together a squad in a limited time before the start of the campaign in the northern hemisphere.
"We always thought it was going to be a big challenge for us, we only had one week to prepare to come up against the champions," Davids said.
"We are in a rebuilding phase having lost 50 per cent of our staff and 90 per cent of our players.
"At least now we have a platform to work with. With every challenge there is an opportunity, we have to take the positives out of this game and start to build on it.
"The Scarlets are a fantastic side who play an exciting brand of rugby and if you make mistakes they will punish you.
"We will look forward to welcoming them to South Africa."
Wales and British Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny, a summer signing from Toulon, claimed one of the Scarlets' eight tries.
On Friday, the other South African side cut from Super Rugby, the Cheetahs, lost 42-19 to an Ulster side guided by Australian flyhalf Christian Lealiifano.
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