New Bulls coach John Mitchell says improvement within the Super Rugby franchise will only come with a change of mindset and a boost in confidence, and believes that "exciting times" are ahead for the struggling side.
Former All Blacks coach Mitchell was appointed on Thursday night and replaces Nollis Marais, who has overseen a season in which the side have won just three of their 11 matches, and are struggling to make the playoffs.
But Mitchell feels the squad is better than the results show, and says he feels he is the man to bring the best out of them.
"The Bulls, when they are at their best, they are extremely aggressive and when they play at tempo, they have also put sides away in the past," Mitchell told reporters. "We are not far away from that ingredient, but what we've got to do is make sure that people are open to intervention and changing their mindset.
"I feel I can bring a positive element of change, but one has to be careful as well, as ultimately at the end of the day, I've got a lot to learn. For me to judge people based on performance and competency would be totally unfair.
"I will do a lot of listening and watching when I get involved in working with Nollis, and look to move the programme forward.
"I think life for me is about what you can control, and what I can control is our processes. I think it is exciting times for us and we can do things slightly different. This is not a big change, this is about refreshing and updating our ways."
Mitchell knows there is no quick fix, but believes that a good domestic Currie Cup season could provide a springboard for better things in Super Rugby in 2018.
"We just have to sharpen up and become confident, rugby is about confidence," Mitchell, who has also coached the Lions and Western Force in the competition, says.
"The team at the moment just lacks a bit of confidence, and there is huge talent there and there has always been talent at the Bulls, and it will remain. "We have a Currie Cup to embed, we've got to get our metres up and we have to go into a pre-season where we can build on top of that.
"I'd like to think that within two competitions, we'll start to show significant change in our mentality and approach."
Mitchell has spent the last seven years based in South Africa, even if he has in that time had roles with the Sale Sharks in England the United States national team. He says he now calls the country "home".
"I've been in the country for seven years now and I call it home, I love the place. I guess I've been away from this level and South African rugby for a period of time now," Mitchell said.
"When you get parked up as a coach, it is important to go away and learn. Having been here as a coach with numerous teams, having good days and tough ones as well, where I come from in New Zealand, there are many similarities to here that I like."
The Bulls are in action on Saturday afternoon when they host the Hurricanes from New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld.