An explosive unbeaten 85 from David Miller and some hostile bowling by the fast bowlers helped South Africa to beat Sri Lanka by 56 runs in Pallekele on Friday and stay alive in the five-match series.
South Africa defended their moderate total of 223-7 by dismissing Sri Lanka for 167 in the 44th over, despite Thisara Perera hitting Robin Peterson for 35 runs off the 33rd over, the second most expensive in ODI history.
The left-hander hit five sixes and a four, with a wide off the second ball adding to the carnage.
Much of the damage had been done earlier however, with fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe taking four for 22, well supported by Morne Morkel who went wicketless but put the Sri Lankan batsman under pressure.
The visitors struggled for much of their innings but were given much needed impetus by Miller whose unbeaten 85 off 72 balls included five sixes and four fours.
He paced his innings until the 47th over when, along with Ryan McLaren scored 38 off the final two overs, with their unbroken eighth wicket partnership putting on 69 runs.