Sri Lanka seamer Vishwa Fernando struck an early double blow as the tourists reduced South Africa to 4-89 at lunch on the opening day of the first Test at Kingsmead.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Sri Lanka had South Africa in strife at 3-17 before Faf du Plessis (35) and Temba Bavuma (38no) put on 72 for the fourth wicket to calm home nerves.
However, Sri Lanka made sure it was their morning as Du Plessis was out the last ball of the session, tickling a Kasun Rajitha delivery down the leg side to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella.
Fernando (2-31) was impressive with the new ball as he had opener Dean Elgar caught by Dickwella for a duck, and then clean-bowled the dangerous Aiden Markram (11).
In between those strikes, new ball partner Suranga Lakmal struck to remove the experienced Hashim Amla (3), caught at second slip by Kusal Mendis.
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Du Plessis and Bavuma had their fair share of good fortune as they fought to survive on a seaming wicket and under cloudy skies in Durban, before the former's luck finally ran out.
Quinton de Kock will start his partnership with Bavuma after the interval.
Sri Lanka picked up early wickets on their recent tour of Australia but failed to drive home that advantage, and will be eager to avoid a repeat in this first test.
They have an unbeaten record in their previous two tests at Kingsmead, drawing in 2000 and then claiming a handsome 208-run victory in 2011.
