South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 56 runs in the third one-day international in Pallekele on Friday to stay alive in the five-match series. The tourists, facing a must-win situation after losing the first two matches, bowled out Sri Lanka for 167 under lights after making 223-7.
With Sri Lanka still 2-1 ahead, South Africa will also need to win the fourth match at the same venue on Sunday to take the series into the decider in Colombo next Wednesday.
Earlier, David Miller smashed a robust 85 not out off 72 balls to steer South Africa to 223/7 in the third one-day international against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Friday.
The left-hander smashed five sixes and four boundaries after a three-wicket haul from unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis had reduced the tourists to 154/7 in the 42nd over.
South Africa need a win to stay afloat in the five-match series, having lost the first two games in Colombo. Miller put on 69 for the eighth wicket with Ryan McLaren, who remained unbeaten on 14.
SCORECARD
South Africa: A. Petersen c Sangakkara b Malinga 8, Q. de Kock c Sangakkara b Perera 20, JP Duminy b Perera 23, AB de Villiers c Sangakkara b Mendis 47, F. du Plessis (run out) 16, F. Behardien b Mendis 2, D. Miller (not out) 85, R. Peterson b Mendis 3, R. McLaren (not out) 14 Extras: (lb3, w2) 5. Total: (for 7 wkts, in 50 overs) 223.
FoW: 1-14, 2-50, 3-53, 4-95, 5-100, 6-148, 7-154.
Bowling: Malinga 10-0-57-1, Mathews 5-1-17-0, Dilshan 10-0-39-0, Perera 8-0-51-2, Mendis 10-0-35-3, Herath 7-1-21-0.
Sri Lanka: U. Tharanga c Petersen b Tsotsobe 5, T. Dilshan c de Villiers b Tsotsobe 6, K. Sangakkara c Duminy b Tsotsobe 0, M. Jayawardene b Peterson 24, D. Chandimal c de Kock b McLaren 29, A. Mathews c de Villiers b Tsotsobe 14, K. Perera c de Villiers b Behardien 1, T. Perera c du Plessis b Behardien 65, R. Herath (not out) 12, L. Malinga b Behardien 0, A. Mendis c Tsotsobe b Duminy 0. Extras: (b1, lb4, w6) 11. Total (in 43.2 overs) 167.
FoW: 1-14, 2-14, 3-16, 4-71, 5-78, 6-81, 7-93, 8-165, 9-166.
Bowling: Morkel 8-1-29-0, Tsotsobe 7-2-22-4, McLaren 6-1-18-1, Peterson 7-0-51-1, Duminy 9.2-1-23-1, Behardien 6-0-19-3.