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That included a collapse of 4/4 from 134/6 to 138 all out as the Proteas’ formidable bowling attack proved too hot for the Sri Lankans to handle. The tourists outdid the hosts’ own lower order slide from 220/4 to 251 all out, after which South Africa seemed to have let Sri Lanka back in the game and wasted a strong platform.

In the end, the home side were grateful for the efforts of Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis, who helped them to a total which would prove too much for Sri Lanka, while Reeza Hendricks, Wiaan Mulder, and David Miller played useful cameos.

De Kock raced out of the blocks with his customary belligerence, with Hendricks offering solid support, but fell six shy of his 14th ODI hundred, getting a leading edge which looped up for Niroshan Dickwella to grab. He has now passed 80 in five of his last seven international knocks without going onto a century.

Rassie van der Dussen fell soon after, hooking Thisara Perera and top-edging, giving Kasun Rajitha the opportunity to take a spectacular diving catch. Du Plessis and Mulder steadied the ship, before the latter lost his leg stump to Vishwa Fernando.

South Africa’s captain carried on past 5000 ODI runs and his half-century on the day, but his dismissal, bowled by one which kept low by Perera, set in motion the collapse which brought South Africa’s innings to an end with almost five overs unused. None of the hosts Nos.7-11 made it into double figures.

Mendis was brilliantly run out

Still, 251 looked plenty as Avishka Fernando, Dickwella, and Kusal Perera fell to South Africa’s pace trio to leave Sri Lanka 52/3. Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando added 40 to help repair some of the damage before committing hari-kiri, the former run out by Nortje after a mix-up.

Fernando fell on the same score, also to Nortje, but this time leg-before. Dhananjaya de Silva clipped Rabada tamely to midwicket, Perera holed out off Tahir, and then Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap.

South Africa’s quicks were simply too quick, and Tahir too clever. The series now head to Durban, where the tourists must win to keep their hopes of a series win alive.