Speaking after the match, South African captain Shaun Pollock said his batsmen laid the foundations for an easy win.

"It's always difficult when you are chasing a big target like that," he said.

"Often what happens is that you either get really close or you lose a lot of wickets up front and the game sort of peters out into an easy victory for one team."

Pollock identified three of his batsmen as key to victory.

"Partnerships were vital and Graeme and Boeta dug in and got us a good platform to work with," he said.

"It allowed Jacques to come in and play with the freedom and to get 300 you really have to have batted well."

Sanath Jayasuriya made 46 out of an opening partnership of 51 with Marvan Attapattu as Sri Lanka began their reply well.

But wickets fell steadily as soon as the partnership was broken, and with Makhaya Ntini in imposing form, the tourists never looked like threatening the hosts' total.

After the match, Jayasuriya admitted his side had been left wanting by their opponents.

"We should have bowled much better," he said.

"We have to do something in all three departments, batting, bowling and fielding."

The teams play in the third match in Benoni on Sunday.

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

Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Upal Chandana, Hasantha Fernando, Dilhara Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaradne.