SA complete innings victory

Seam bowlers Wiaan Mulder and Lutho Sipamla took two wickets each as South Africa bowled injury-hit Sri Lanka out for 180 to complete a handsome victory by an innings and 45 runs on day four of the first Test at Centurion Park yesterday.

The tourists resumed their second innings on 65 for two on a wicket that provided plenty of assistance for the seam bowlers and when dangerous opener Kusal Perera was out for 64, their hopes of saving the Test were realistically over.

"A Test match is never easy. It's been a year since we've won one so it feels good at this moment," said South Africa captain Quinton de Kock.

Faf du Plessis was adjudged man of the match. "Personally I'm very proud of my CV, which is 199, which unfortunately one short, but it's always good to contribute in a big way to set your team up for a win... I haven't played a red-ball game in almost a year. For me it was just making sure I get back to the basics of Test cricket," said Faf.