Chaminda Vaas

Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis resumed nine and one respectively, with the visitors in trouble at 22 for two. Kallis could only add two runs to his overnight total, before being caught by Tillakaratne Dilshan off the bowling of Chaminda Vaas.

Smith was joined by Jacques Rudolph and it was not long before the home side struck again, this time in the form of the young fast-bowling sensation Lasith Malinga. The latter found the South African skipper's edge and the catch was comfortably taken by Thilan Samaraweera. Smith was back in the pavilion for 17 from 34 deliveries.

Boeta Dippenaar joined Rudolph, but the partnership lasted only four deliveries. Vaas used the fast short-pitched delivery to good affect and had a hooking Rudolph caught by Malinga on the fine leg boundary. South Africa added just 14 runs for the loss of three wickets in the first 25 minutes of play.

Vice-captain Mark Boucher joined Dippenaar and the pair batted patiently through a long session to see the visitors through to the luncheon interval. Boucher found the boundary on seven occasions on his way to his 17th Test match half-century.

Boucher and Dippenaar went to the break with scores of 50 and 34 respectively. Vaas recorded impressive figures of eight overs, three maidens, 3/15. Sri Lankan spinners Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Chandana and Rangana Herath applied good pressure throughout the session.