The Proteas Women suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

An undefeated partnership between youngsters Vishmi Gunaratne (65* off 57 balls) and Kaveesha Dilhari (45* off 28) saw the visitors reach their target of 139 with seven balls to spare.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Proteas made a positive start as openers Anneke Bosch (50 off 32 deliveries) and Tazmin Brits (seven) progressed to 26-0 after three overs before the latter, in her 50th T20I, dragged one from Achini Kulasuriya onto her stumps.

Bosch and experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp took South Africa to 48-1 at the end of the powerplay, but shortly after achieving her fourth T20I fifty, Bosch fell to Dilhari.

Sri Lanka picked up three more quick wickets as Suné Luus (three) was run out and Kapp was caught in the inner ring for 44 off the bowling of Inoshi Priyadharshani.

Chloé Tryon (two), Annerie Dercksen (three), and debutant Karabo Meso (nought) were also swiftly dismissed, leaving South Africa struggling on 118-7 with three overs remaining.

Stand-in captain Nadine de Klerk (run-a-ball 16*) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (four) got the team to 137-8 after 20 overs, with Mlaba the last wicket to fall, to another run out.

In reply, Sri Lanka were restricted to 16-0 after four overs before Proteas seamer Tumi Sekhukhune (1-27) dismissed Athapaththu (six).

Ending the powerplay on 37-1, Gunaratne then led the charge, forming a 31-run partnership with Harshitha Samarawickrama (12) to guide Sri Lanka past the 50-run mark after nine overs.

As the partnership gained momentum, Samarawickrama was bowled by Tryon (1-14), which was followed by De Klerk dismissing Hasini Perera (one).

With 70 runs needed off 48 balls for victory, Gunaratne was joined by Dilhari, and the duo showcased their temperament in a match-winning 76-run stand for the fourth wicket.

The series decider is scheduled for Wednesday at Buffalo Park in East London (6pm).

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images