Muttiah Muralitharan had his 17th haul of 10 wickets in a Test

Muttiah Muralitharan claimed match figures of 10-172 as Sri Lanka completed victory over South Africa by an innings and 153 runs in Colombo.

The tourists began the final day with six wickets in hand, hoping to bat out three sessions to save the match.

But Muralitharan dismissed Ashwell Prince and Herschelle Gibbs before lunch, before taking two more wickets immediately after the interval.

The match will be famous for the biggest stand in first-class cricket.

Mahela Jayawardene (374) and Kumar Sangakkara (287) hit 624 in a partnership that straddled the end of the first day, the whole of the second, and half of the third.

It was also only the third Test win by a Sri Lankan side against South Africa, who were finally all out for 434 some 45 minutes before tea.

There is no doubt in my mind that Murali is the greatest spinner ever Mahela Jayawardene Quotes: Sri Lanka reaction

The tourists began the final day on 311-4 and got off to the worst possible start when captain Prince (61) was caught low at slip by Jayawardene, ending a defiant fifth-wicket stand of 78 with Boucher.

Gibbs, forced to bat at seven after being off the field on the third day with a virus, made a tentative 18 off 32 balls until he drove a full toss back to Muralitharan.

Boucher, 38 overnight, continued to defy the Sri Lankans and moved within sight of his fifth Test century.

But attempting to hit the left-arm spin of Jayasuriya through the on-side he instead drove a catch back to the bowler to depart for 85.

It did not take long for Muralitharan to bowl both Andre Nel and Dale Steyn but there was more resistance offered from the 10th-wicket partnership.

Makhaya Ntini hit Jayasuriya for four and six and defied Muralitharan long enough for the bowler to be replaced by paceman Lasith Malinga.

The change in pace did for Ntini, who was promptly bowled, leaving Nicky Boje undefeated on 33.