The Sri Lankan emerging players held off a concerted bowling attack by the Emerging Proteas to draw their second unofficial Test and take the series 1-0.
It was a close-run thing, with Eathan Bosch and Nandre Burger taking three wickets each, but Nisala Gimage, their No 8, and Jeffrey Vandersay (No 10) swatted away 50 deliveries between them, while scoring 12 and five respectively, after they had been reduced to 244-8, chasing 291 in 75 overs for their second victory.
They had won the first match by four wickets after the South Africans had collapsed in their second innings.
There was in this match at least a moral victory for the visitors, who had trailed by 103 on the first innings.
Then an excellent 103 from captain Tony de Zorzi (off 167 balls, 10 fours), with support from Kagiso Rapulana (41) and Reynard van Tonder (who retired hurt on 63) enabled the South Africans to declare on 393-6.
The Sri Lankans were in a great position at 236-4 after 63 overs, but then two quick wickets each from Burger and Bosch pulled the rug from under their feet, reducing them to 244-8, which left the tail with a nervous run to the close.
The teams will now play three ODIs, on 9, 11 and 14 August.
