The win was caused by Anrich Nortje’s ruthless bowling figures of 4/7, followed by a combined batting effort.

Sri Lankan captain Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva’s decided to bat first against South Africa but the decision did not bear fruits as they were bowled out for a meagre total in 19.1 overs.

Sri Lanka had a dismal start to their innings as Pathum Nissanka (3) perished cheaply with just 13 runs on the board in 3.1 overs.

Later, Kamindu Mendis joined Kusal Mendis and the pair looked to anchor the innings with a cautious partnership. They could not pull Sri Lanka out of trouble as Kamindu fell victim to Nortje in the eighth over after scoring a scratchy 11 off 15 deliveries.

The dismissal of Kamindu sparked a middle-order collapse as Sri Lanka lost four more wickets in quick succession including their mainstay Kusal Mendis to eventually slip to 45/6 in 11.2 overs.

All-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Angelo Mathews gave a gutsy partnership for the seventh wicket, and added 23 runs at a brisk rate until Shanaka was cleaned up by Kagiso Rabada in the 15th over.

Mathews followed in his footsteps an over later as he fell victim to ruthless Anrich Nortje after scoring a run-a-ball 16. Sri Lanka’s batting tail then crumbled against a disciplined South Africa bowling attack and thus the Proteas booked them for a paltry total.

Anrich Nortje led the bowling charge for South Africa with four wickets, followed by Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada, who bagged two wickets each.