JOIN USSouth Africa batted cautiously to reach 98 for three as they try to preserve their 1-0 lead in the series in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka on Friday.
The touring side, replying to the hosts' 421 all out, trailed by 323 runs at the close on the second day with Hashim Amla unbeaten on 46 and AB de Villiers on 11.
Amla had two escapes on 10 and 34, edging a drive off Dilruwan Perera past Mahela Jayawardene's outstretched hand at slip and then having his stumps shattered by Suranga Lakmal as he moved away from his crease when a crow flew across the pitch.
The bowler appealed to the umpire who signalled a dead ball.
Sri Lanka's only success in the final session was the wicket of Faf du Plessis who was caught brilliantly down the leg side by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off Lakmal for 36 to end a partnership of 58 with Amla.
Sri Lanka's spinners had taken two early wickets to reduce South Africa to 23 for two at tea.
Sri Lanka's first innings ended an hour after lunch with Vernon Philander picking up the last two wickets of Ajantha Mendis (2) and Lakmal (4) to catches by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.
Debutant Dickwella's innings of 72 off 116 deliveries ended in a run out while Jayawardene too was run out for 165. Jayawardene passed 150 for the 16th time in his career.