It was Sangakkara's third Test double ton

Kumar Sangakkara's third career double century led Sri Lanka to a first-innings total of 470 on day two of the second Test against South Africa.

Resuming play on 157, Sangakkara was stopped on 232 by Shaun Pollock, who was the standout bowler with 4-81.

In reply, the tourists stuttered at the top of the batting order as they closed on 116-3 - 354 runs behind.

South Africa opener Herschelle Gibbs was bowled for a duck before Sanath Jayasuriya grabbed two late wickets.

When play began in Colombo, it did not take South Africa long to make an early breakthrough.

Nightwatchman Chaminda Vaas was caught by Martin van Jaarsveld off Pollock, reducing the hosts to 316-4.

Thilan Samaraweera then made 21 before being removed by Jacques Kallis.Kallis had him caught by Makhaya Ntini on the long leg boundary after top-edging a hook shot.

We now have to be positive and put some partnerships together tomorrow South Africa coach Eric Simons More day two quotes

South Africa missed a chance to remove Sangakkara when Pollock failed to gather a caught-and-bowled opportunity when on 177.

Just four runs were added to the lunch score of 395-5 before Tillakaratne Dilshan fell to Pollock for three.

Nantie Hayward then picked up his only wicket of the innings to have Romesh Kaluwitharana caught behind for seven, a strike which preceded Sangakkara's falling by one over.

The number three was caught by Kallis to end a superb 357-ball effort which included 31 boundaries and a six. It was his second-highest Test score and best against South Africa.

Rangana Herath then fell cheaply to Makhaya Ntini but Upul Chandana kept the score ticking over with a dogged 40, dominating a last-wicket stand of 33 with Lasith Malinga before being stumped off Nicky Boje.

South Africa got off to the worst possible start when Gibbs, back after missing the first Test, was bowled for nought by Chaminda Vaas.

Van Jaarsfeld notched up his third Test fifty before he became the first of Jayasuriya's two victims when he was caught by Sangakkara.

Boje went two balls later when he was bowled through the gate for a duck.

At the close, captain Graeme Smith was 49 not out with Jacques Kallis on four.

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Chandana, Romesh Kaluwitharana.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Martin van Jaarsveld, Jacques Rudolph, Herschelle Gibbs, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Nantie Hayward, Nicky Boje.