South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test at Gqeberha, SA vs SL, Dec 05 2024 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That brings us to the end of our coverage. We've had two riveting Tests, this one more tighter than Durban, and South Africa have given themselves a great chance to make the WTC final at Lord's. Thanks for you company once again. Cheers

Temba Bavuma is the Player of the series for three half-centuries and a century in four innings. "Good to be back, firstly," he says. "Enjoying the opportunity to be out with them. Lot of hunger and desire from my side, when the opportunities come and body allows, to put in performances for the team. Hopefully I was able grab them. Durban was tricky, first day conditions overhead. From my side, wanted to keep the intent of looking to score, not worry too much about technique and how it looks, also encourage the other players to do so. Felt fresh mentally and physically, was able to contribute. This Test for a lot of the guys was a proper Test. Rare that you get to play all five days, rare the game swings both sides, credit to Sri Lanka for the way they went about their business, asked the right questions, they made us work hard for the win. We'll take a lot of pride as a batting group. All of us are super happy for a guy like Ryan Rickleton, with the ball it was Marco and Paterson. Guys putting in performances like that speaks of the hunger. WTC table looks good, still have two games to go. Don't know what the math looks like, want to continue what we're doing, enjoy the victory, and in a couple of weeks time start speaking about Pakistan."

Dhananjaya de Silva: This game was tighter than the last one; boys fought hard but we weren't good enough. The conditions are obviously different to Sri Lanka; the bowling attack they had, they kept asking questions, even the spinners. I think they played better than us. We're getting better [playing in SENA countries], but need to get better in every department. We don't have plans yet [for the home Tests v Australia] but it'll spin [in Galle]."

Dane Paterson is the Player of the Match for his 5 for 71 in the first innings. He finishes with a match haul of seven wickets.

South Africa's WTC dream is alive and kicking. They're now on top of the table, having upstaged second-placed Australia. With two home Tests to follow against Pakistan, they'll fancy giving themselves a shot at glory come Lord's 2025.

The only form of resistance from Sri Lanka came in the middle order when Mathews, Dhananjaya and Kusal Mendis briefly gave South Africa the jitters in the final session. But Maharaj's late strike to clean bowl Mathews attempting a wild heave, after being lulled in flight, turned the tide. Sri Lanka went from hopeful to despondent.

It needed some resistance from Dhanajaya and Kusal to calm their nerves, but once they fell, the longish tail never really had a chance of whittling down the target against the relentlessness of Maharaj and Jansen. South Africa deserving winners in the end.

Goes over the wicket

Hello all. Can Sri Lanka get the target first into double digits?

Time for Shashank to step in for a stint.

Roshan: "So much anticipation and hope crushed in a matter of minutes "

Around the wicket

Slip and leg slip in place. Maharaj is over the wicket