South Africa will be kicking themselves because of missed opportunities on Day One of the first cricket test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
The Proteas had their hosts starring down the barrel on 176 for the loss of eight wickets.
Dimuth Karunaratne and the tail added 111 runs to Sri Lanka’s total before they were bowled out for 287.
The Proteas will resume on Day Two on four for one.
Playing with five bowlers, three quicks and two spinners, South Africa made a decent start with the ball after the hosts won the toss and opted to bat first.
The home side went into the luncheon interval on 93 for the loss of two wickets — Kagiso Rabada with the first wicket — he dismissed Danushka Gunathilaka for 26.
Dhananjaya de Silva contributed just 11 runs before he was bowled by Tabraiz Shamsi.
The Proteas took four more wickets in the middle session — including two in three deliveries by Rabada — which left him with impressive figures of three for 35 from nine overs.
Shamsi dismissed Niroshan Dickwella for 18 just before a down pour forced the players to take an early tea break — Sri Lanka against the ropes on 161 for the loss of six wickets.
Smelling blood the South Africa bowling attack picked up where they left off before tea, claiming two more scalps to leave the hosts in real trouble on 178 for eight.
Despite wickets falling around him, Karunaratne showed resolve and went on to register his first Test century against South Africa — scored off 159 deliveries.
Together with the tail, Karunaratne steered Sri Lanka to a very respectable total — adding 111 runs for the last two wickets before they were bowled out for 287.
Shamsi took the last wicket when he dismissed Lakshan Sandakan for a well played 25 from 55 deliveries.
Karunaratne remained unbeaten on 158.
The pair’s 63 tenth wicket partnership is the highest against South Africa and gave Sri Lanka’s bowlers something to work with.
South Africa’s reply didn’t get off to a great start, losing the wicket of opener Aiden Markram for a duck.
They will resume on Day Two on four for one.
