Sri Lanka have won the toss and sent the Proteas in to bowl first in the first ODI in Dambulla.
After a humiliating Test series that saw the Proteas slump to 278-run and 199-run defeats, the players will shift their attention to the all-important five-match ODI series.
The road to the 2019 World Cup begins and the Proteas’ first test is to find a win on a ground they lost twice on in 2004.
The Proteas still search for their best XI and combination with the players they have and sub-continent conditions put extra pressure on team selection.
The Proteas opted for two all-rounders in the match, with Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo both getting a start.
Surprisingly, the Proteas have left Keshav Maharaj out of the side and opted for one spinner on a dry pitch. They chose Tabraiz Shamsi and will utilise JP Duminy as a second spinner.
Possible Proteas XI
1 Hashim Amla
2 Quinton de Kock
3 Faf du Plessis (c)
4 Aiden Markram
5 JP Duminy
6 David Miller
7 Wiaan Mulder
8 Andile Phehlukwayo
9 Kagiso Rabada
10 Tabraiz Shamsi
11 Lungi Ngidi
Possible Sri Lanka XI
1 Niroshan Dickwella
2 Upul Tharanga
3 Kusal Mendis
4 Kusal Perera
5 Angelo Mathews (c)
6 Thisara Perera
7 Shehan Jayasuriya
8 Akila Dananjay
9 Suranga Lakmal
10 Lakshan Sandakan
11 Lahiru Kumara