The Proteas beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 45 runs on the fourth day of the first Test played in Centurion on Tuesday.
Replying to the Proteas’ first innings score of 621, the Sri Lankans were bowled out for 180 runs in 46.1 overs to give coach Mark Boucher his first Test win since taking over the coaching of the South African national team in 2019.
The Sri Lankans, who scored 396 runs for nine in 96 overs in their first innings, started the day on 65 for two with Kusal Perera on 21 and Dinesh Chandimal on 33.
Things started to go wrong for Sri Lanka when Wiaam Mulder bowled out Chandimal on 25 runs off 45 balls. Mulder came into the spotlight again taking Niroshan Dickwella’s wicket following a Quinton de Kock catch in the 24th over. Dickwella scored 10 runs from 15 balls.
Perera was the next to go on 64 after facing 87 deliveries and was caught by De Kock off Anrich Nortje’s bowling.
Things went from bad to worse for Sri Lanka as Dasun Shanaka on six was next to go followed by Vishwa Fernando, who left the crease with a duck.
On the other hand, Wanindu Hasaranga scored his half century on debut before falling victim to Lutho Sipamla’s bowling having knocked 59 runs from 53 balls. Hasaranga was caught by Temba Bavuma at mid-off.
Kasun Rajitha was the last to go with a duck after he became Nortje’s victim and was caught at gully by Keshav Maharaj.
Meanwhile, Proteas batsman Faf du Plessis, who fell agonisingly short of making history of scoring his first Test double century, won the man-of-the-match award.
The former Proteas captain knocked 199 runs from 276 deliveries and became the ninth player in Test history to fall one run short of making a double ton.
Despite the disappointment of failing to score his first double century, Du Plessis scored his 10th Test century as he improved his career best from 137 to 199.
