Sri Lanka A's bowlers struck at regular intervals on the second day to give their side the opportunity of taking a significant lead in Durban. They reduced South Africa A to 211 for 8, after the visitors had been dismissed for 336 earlier in the day. Several South African batsmen got starts but Farhaan Behardien's 66 was the top score.
Fast bowler Dhammika Prasad, who last played for Sri Lanka against England in Colombo three months ago, pegged South Africa back early with the wickets of opener Stiaan van Zyl and No. 3 Dean Elgar, and left them 27 for 2. Prasad, however, left the field due to injury in his fourth over, which was completed by captain Dimuth Karunaratne.
After a third-wicket partnership of 47 between South Africa A captain Faf du Plessis and opener Reeza Hendricks, Bahardien held one end up until he was dismissed two overs before stumps. Fast bowler Kosala Kulasekara was responsible for dismissing both du Plessis and Behardien. Offspinner Sachitra Serasinghe didn't allow the lower-middle order to prosper by taking two wickets.
The day had begun with Sri Lanka A on 290 for 8 in their first innings and Prasad and Kanishka Alvitigala made useful tail-end contributions to lift their side past 300.