South Africa reached 63-2 in its second innings by lunch on the fourth day of the first test against Sri Lanka after bowling out the hosts earlier on Saturday to take a 163-run first-innings lead.
Faf du Plessis was on eight and captain Hashim Amla on seven as South Africa moved 226 runs ahead with eight wickets still in hand and beginning to contemplate a declaration to push for victory.
First innings centurion Dean Elgar was caught behind off Rangana Herath for 12, playing away from the body, while Alviro Petersen (32) edged one off Dilruwan Perera.
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Petersen was impressive during his 63-ball stay at the wicket as he looked to play shots and employed the reverse-sweep to good effect. He struck four fours.
Earlier, Sri Lanka added just nine runs to its overnight score before losing its last wicket and finishing on 292, well short of South Africa’s 455-9 declared.
Last-man Shaminda Eranga, who came in to bat despite a hand injury that restricted his pace bowling to just nine overs in the first innings, remained not out on 1.
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Morkel finished with 3-49 while Dale Steyn remained the most successful bowler for South Africa with 5-54.
Scoreboard
South Africa 1st innings - 455-9 declared (Dean Elger 103, Jean Paul-Duminy 100 not out, Faf du Plessis 80, Quinton de Kock 51; Dilruwan Perera 4-162, Suranga Lakmal 3-75)
Sri Lanka 1s innings - 292 (Angelo Mathews 89, Upul Tharanga 83; Dale Steyn 5-54, Morne Morkel 3-49).
South Africa 2nd innings - 63-2