South Africa took a significant step towards qualifying for the World Test Championship final with a commanding 109-run victory over Sri Lanka in Gqeberha.
The Proteas required just 14.1 overs on the final day to take the remaining five wickets, securing a 2-0 series win and moving to the top of the WTC table, surpassing Australia.
Temba Bavuma’s side can guarantee their spot in the final at Lord’s in June if they win both Tests in their upcoming series against Pakistan, starting on Boxing Day.
Sri Lanka began day five at 205-5, still needing 143 runs to win at St George’s Park, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis continuing their 83-run partnership from day four. However, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj made an early breakthrough, dismissing Mendis in the fourth over of the day with an edge to slip. Kagiso Rabada followed up by having Dhananjaya caught behind, and Sri Lanka quickly collapsed, losing their last five wickets for just 19 runs to be all out for 238.
Maharaj claimed three of the wickets to complete his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests.
Centuries from Kyle Verreynne and Ryan Rickelton were key to setting up South Africa’s victory, while 35-year-old seamer Dane Paterson earned his maiden Test five-wicket haul to help the Proteas secure a narrow first-innings lead.
Bavuma and Aiden Markram also made half-centuries in the second innings, setting Sri Lanka a challenging target of 348, which proved beyond reach.
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