Allan Donald was as competitive as ever

But they were left reeling as Pollock and Makhaya Ntini exploited a helpful pitch to reduce them to 30 for five early on.

It was then a question of trying to save face and Mahela Jayawardene (31) and Russel Arnold (28) did their best in a sixth wicket stand of 65.

Arnold became Ntini's third victim and veteran paceman Allan Donald chipped in with two as the tail folded, with Pollock trapping Pulasthi Gunaratne lbw to end the innings.

Openers fail

South Africa's reply was only five balls old when Herschelle Gibbs was adjudged caught behind off left-armer Chaminda Vaas for nought, a decision which did not go down well with the batsman.

Gunaratne then removed Graeme Smith in similar fashion for three, and when Boeta Dippenaar (23) and Justin Ontong (six) fell to Prabatha Nissanka, there were anxious faces among the crowd.

But Kallis was his usual efficient self, blunting the edge of the Sri Lanka's attack, while Boucher adopted a more aggressive role.

They shared an unbroken stand of 73 in 14 overs with Boucher hitting the winning boundary with a straight drive which deflected off the outstretched fingers of Dilhara Fernando.

It took him to 45 not out, with Kallis unbeaten on 38.

South Africa: Shaun Pollock (capt), Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Boeta Dippenaar, Jacques Kallis, Justin Ontong, Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Allan Donald.

Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda da Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Prabath Nissanka, Dilhara Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Pulasthi Gunaradne.