Jayawardene the more attacking player went to his 50 in 44 balls striking his 11 boundaries on both sides of the wickets.

At drinks Jayawardene had moved on to 60 with Atapattu playing the anchor roll on 46 and Sri Lanka back in the match at 112/2.

Russell Arnold, opening the innings with Marvin Atapattu, was soon back in the change rooms edging Quinton Friend to Tsolekile for one and Sri Lanka 10/1.

Kumar Sangakkara lasted two balls before he shuffled in front of one from Elworthy to be adjudged leg before, also for one run and Sri Lanka 11/2.

Atapattu with 24 and Mahela Jayawardene on 27 stayed together till tea with Sri Lanka recovering to 57/2.

First to go was Peterson, going after a bouncer, edging to the keeper for 13 giving Chaminda Vaas his second wicket of the match.

395/6 became 396/7 when Dippenaar flicked a catch to mid wicket to leave on a very patient 134 off 354 balls with 18 boundaries.

Vaas picked up his third wicket when Thami Tsolekile on 18, charged the bowler, only to see the short ball get past and giving the keeper, standing back, ample time to break the stumps. South Africa 431/8, and looking at a possible declaration.

Andrew Hall on 38 and Steve Elworthy on 23 took the hosts to 483/8 at the drinks break when the declaration came.

With the departure of Ontong, Robin Peterson and Dippenaar closed up shop, playing South Africa to 387/5 at lunch with Dippenaar on 130 off 346 balls and Peterson nine off 37.

As was the case on day one, McKenzie was the aggressor, with Dippenaar playing the ideal anchor roll. The partnership grew to 256 when McKenzie was caught behind off the bowling of Dilhara Fernando for 160 coming off 249 balls and including 23 fours and a six off Lakshitha.

Further joy for Fernando and Sri Lanka when Dale Benkenstein was trapped leg before with the first ball he faced and South Africa ‘A’ suddenly 324/4. The hat trick ball was over pitched and driven for four by Justin Ontong.

At drinks Dippenaar had moved to 115, Ontong to nine and South Africa 334/4.