South Africa captain Faf du Plessis struck a stylish unbeaten half-century as they extended their second-innings advantage over Sri Lanka on the third day of the first Test at Kingsmead on Friday.
The home side lead by 271 runs after reaching lunch at 5-227 and will look to push towards 350 in the afternoon session, a potentially match-winning total against a Sri Lankan side that has not passed 300 in any of their last 12 test innings.
Du Plessis (72no) will resume with Vernon Philander (12no) on a wicket that is starting to take turn and has provided seam movement all match for the quicker bowlers.
The only wicket to fall in the first session was that of Quinton de Kock (55) after he put on a quick 96 in 24 overs for the fifth wicket with Du Plessis before being trapped leg before wicket by spinner Lasith Embuldeniya (3-51).
De Kock added to his first innings score of 80, and a century in the team's last test against Pakistan, as he continues to be a solid performer in an otherwise brittle South African top order.
South Africa posted 235 in their first innings before bowling Sri Lanka out for 191, a first-innings lead of 44 runs.
The second and final test of the series will be played in Port Elizabeth from February 21-25.
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