South Africa's middle order batsman Ashwell Prince feels it's harsh on subcontinent's cricketers when they are subjected to attack after a major loss as it has happened to India and Pakistan.

"It's tough on players, harsh on them when their houses are attacked. It's difficult for me to comment as our culture is different," remarked Prince trying to draw a comparison with his own national team's fate after the debacles of 1999 and 2003 World Cups when players personally didn't face physical threat from the players.

Indian sub-continent is in unrest after what happened to Pakistan and Indian teams in the 2007 World Cup. Committees are being formed; reports are being sought and plans are afoot to replace captain and coach.

Even in Bangladesh, there is disquiet after team's poor performance in the Super 8 stage.

Prince said the Proteas had the issues of their own to settle and were hoping rain doesn't come to disrupt their plans.

"Guys like Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock haven't had much of a hit in the middle but that's because our top order has batted so well.

"It's also rained heavily here in recent days and I just hope that the game against Bangladesh on Saturday is not disrupted. We have acquired momentum after we beat Sri Lanka in the opening Group Eight game and it was important that we started right since we weren't carrying any point from the league stage."

Prince denied that his team was trying to up its' net run-rate in order to avoid the fourth position and a possible match-up against Australia in the semi-finals.

"We have beaten then in recent past and even though we lost to them in the league stage, it's not a concern. As of now, we haven't qualified for the semi-final spot and neither have they. Our priority at the moment is to take a match at a time and don't over-reach ourselves."

The left-hander, who gave signs of return to form with an unbeaten 47 against Ireland, said his team had watched with interest the cliff-hanger of a game between England and Sri Lanka yesterday.

The highlight of the match was the reverse sweep England keeper Paul Nixon employed so successfully against Muralitharan.

"Everyone has his own way. It's a difficult shot to practice and you could look silly trying to do in the middle without enough control.            

"We have faced Murali in the past. He has done well against us but we also have had some success against him."

South Africa doesn't have a quality spinner in their ranks but Prince was sure if the conditions suited spinners overtly, Robert Peterson is competent to fill-in the slot.

"The pitches so far have been slow but generally good for batting though it does a bit in the morning. If we need a spinner, Peterson can do a good job-he's also handy with the bat," he said.