Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada admits it’s been ‘extremely tough’ going at the World Cup as his teammates prepare to lift themselves for their two remaining matches.

The class of 2019 will go down as the worst performers in South Africa’s checkered history at the showpiece event and Rabada, himself, will need to bounce back quickly after claiming just six wickets at an average of over 50.

Talk of his World Cup preparation has been raised once more in the wake of the defeat by Pakistan with the paceman taking most of the criticism on the chin.

‘There have been times where we’ve been really unlucky. At the same time, there have been times where we have let ourselves down,’ said Rabada.

‘As much as you want to be at the top, you will never find it smooth sailing.

‘It’s extremely tough and when you’re playing out there, you experience all these feelings, the highs and the lows and that’s part of the game.’

The 24-year-old was in fine form in the IPL before an injury niggle ended his participation early. Rest and rehabilitation work, however, failed to put SA’s most potent bowler in peak condition.

‘I got a lot more results in the IPL. In this tournament, I think I have just done OK,’ he said.

‘I would have liked to have done better. These are the tournaments you really want to stand up in.’

South Africa face Sri Lanka on Friday at Chester-le-Street.