SA: 191 all out (Temba Bavuma 70; Asitha fernando 3/44)
SL: 42 all out (Kamindu Mendis 13; Marco Jansen 7/13)
SA: 366/5 (Tristan Stubbs 122, Temba Bavuma 113; Vishwa Fernando 2/64)
SL: 103/5 (Dinesh Chandimal 29*; Marco Jansen 2/22, Kagiso Rabada 2/34)
South Africa need five wickets to win on day four, while Sri Lanka need 413 runs.
TEMBA Bavuma has been through many ups and downs in his career, however, the past year has been arguably his most challenging.
A little over a year ago, the 34-year-old led the Proteas ODI team to the semi-final of the World Cup carrying a hamstring injury and thus played while not feeling 100 per cent on the field.
After healing, he then sustained another hamstring injury, this time in his other leg and was ruled out of a very important Test match against India in January.
The captain would make his return to Test cricket in the two-match Test series in the Caribbean in August, only to be injured in the UAE a month later and thus missed the Test series in Bangladesh.
He overcame that injury as well, was cleared to take part in the ongoing Sri Lanka series and the skipper delivered two crucial knocks in both innings as he struck a classy 70 in the first innings to get the team to a competitive 191 and then brought up his third career ton in the second innings.
In describing what the century meant to him having gone through many challenges in the past year, Bavuma was speechless in his engagement with the media and all he could articulate was that he felt “happy”.
“I am very happy that I was able to get to that hundred. It has taken 10 years for me to get here. It's happiness,” said Bavuma. “Maybe when I am sitting alone in my room, I'll think deeper about what this performance means to me. For now, it's just pure happiness.”
Bavuma scored a 228-ball 113 and combined for a 249-run fourth-wicket partnership with Tristan Stubbs who brought up his first Test ton at home as he struck 122 off 221.
Their partnership was South Africa's highest fourth-wicket partnership against Sri Lanka and was crucial in South Africa getting to a second innings total of 366/5 declared, helping the team set the visitors a mammoth 516 runs target.
Though the sky was clear on day three and the bowler-friendly conditions of the opening two days had subsided, Bavuma said it just didn't get easier to bat at Kingsmead on day three.
“I wouldn't say that the going was a lot easier. Batting out there, there wasn't really a point when I felt I was in. It always felt as if there was something happening within the wickets which helped in a way that it forced you to stay within your plans which allowed me to bat longer,” said Bavuma.
“Getting to the three-figure mark is a lot more satisfying personally. When you bat in a position where the team is in trouble, you get to a 50 or 60, it's good in terms of getting the team in a competitive position but once you're able to go (a century) you really get the team in a very strong position.
“Very satisfied and happy that I was able to do that myself and Tristan. Overcome some of the mental challenges that one goes through when you're batting. Quite happy. Would have liked to have been not out at the end of the day but I will take that contribution.”
After declaring on the stroke of the tea break, South Africa went back into the field for the third session and it was all up to the bowlers to finish the job.
The quicks managed to take five wickets amongst each other despite being a seamer short as Wiaan Mulder was ruled out of the series due to a fractured right middle finger.
Marco Jansen (2/22) was as effective as he was in the first innings and was supported brilliantly by Kagiso Rabada (2/34) and Gerald Coetzee (1/39).
Heading into day four today with Sri Lanka reeling on 103/5, the Proteas will be looking to claim the remaining five wickets and go 1-0 up in the two-match series.