Fernando shook up the home batsmen

Mahela Jayawardene (40) was adjudged lbw as he offered no stroke to Makhaya Ntini's opening delivery.

Ntini also dismissed Hasantha Fernando, caught at long leg by Andrew Hall for 14, to finish with four for 52.

But the best figures of four for 39 were returned by all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who picked up the wickets of Hashan Tillekeratne, Gamage and Chaminda Vaas - the last two from successive deliveries.

But if South Africa were expecting a comfortable stroll to victory, they were soon given a rude awakening as Graeme Smith was lbw to the first ball of their innings, bowled by Chaminda Vaas.

But it was Fernando who posed the biggest threat as he removed Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Kallis and Ashwell Prince in his opening eight-over burst.

Andrew Hall helped McKenzie add 29 priceless runs for the sixth wicket before he departed for 16, a first victim for spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan and the home side were still 23 short of their target at tea.

It came down to nine runs needed before McKenzie paid the price for playing back to Muralitharan and was bowled off stump.

Mark Boucher brought the scores level by pulling Fernando for four to reach 22 not out before Pollock, who was unbeaten on 99 in South Africa's first innings, had the final say.

South Africa: Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock (captain), Andrew Hall, Steve Elworthy, Makhaya Ntini.

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Jehan Mubarak, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Chamila Gamage, Muttiah Muralitharan.