Rookie offspinner Maheesh Theekshana has ripped through South Africa as Sri Lanka won the third one-day international by 78 runs to clinch the three-match series 2-1 in Colombo.
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The Proteas lost four wickets within the first 10 overs in Tuesday's decider while chasing a modest victory target of 204, eventually getting bowled out for just 125 in 30 overs.
It sealed Sri Lanka's first one-day international series win in 19 months
The early damage was done by Lankan seamer Dushmantha Chameera, who accounted for Reeza Hendricks (1) and Rassie van der Dussen (5) before spinners Theekshana (4-37) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-32) brought a swift end to the South African reply.
Earlier, Sri Lanka chose to bat and were reduced to 4-93 at one stage before being rescued by gritty knocks from Dhananjaya de Silva (31 off 44) and Charith Asalanka (47 off 71). Chameera's late flourish of 29 helped them get pass 200.
Proteas' captain Keshav Maharaj picked up 3-38, while fellow left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (2-31) was also among the wickets.
The two sides now face off in a three-match Twenty20 series that starts in Colombo on Friday.
Australian Associated Press
