Head coach Dwayne Peel insisted Saturday’s performance against a Hollywoodbets Sharks side stacked with Springboks was a step in the right direction for his team.
Scarlets battled throughout at Kings Park only to come up short 29-19, despite tries from Marnus van der Merwe, Blair Murray and Tom Rogers.
Afterwards Peel said: “It was definitely a step forward for us and I felt like we looked like ourselves a bit more today.
“Obviously we’re frustrated as there were a couple of bonus points we could have got and we leave with nothing for a lot of effort.
“There were a few poor execution moments, we got behind them a few times late on and we just couldn’t quite get over the line and coughed up some soft tries as well, but I think it’s a step in the right direction.”
Peel added: “It’s been a tough couple of games for us and a lot of hard work is needed now this month. We have a break before the next block of URC and Champions cup, which is exciting for us.
“We didn’t pick up any injuries so hopefully we will have a healthy squad and can get to work.”
Asked about his side’s improved physicality against a Sharks littered with experienced Springbok internationals, Peel added: “Physicality is something we have always strived for, it was a big characteristic of the team at the end of last season during our run to the play-offs so it was good to see that.
“They were obviously a star-studded Sharks side so it was a big challenge physically with their size and having to manage that, but I thought we did that quite well. Their maul attack has been a big strength of theirs but for the most part I thought we were pretty effective there.
“Physically we were ok, it was just that bit of finesse when we got behind the gaineline just to finish those tries off.”