||Desk Report|| 

Sri Lanka's debutant Lasith Embuldeniya's five-haul produced a strong fightback for the visitors on day three of the first test, late wickets kept South Africa on course for win in Durban on Friday.

On the day three, South Africa posted 259 and set a total target of 304 for Sri Lanka. But the visitors were 83 for three at the stupms.  Oshada Fernando was unbeaten for 28 while and Kusal Perera was not out for 12 runs. 

Earlier, in the morning Embuldeniya had showed a impressive performance and claimed 5-66 that spoiled South Africa batting order who started the day from 126 for four.  Faf du Plessis scored 90 and Quinton de Kock knocked 55. The pair added 96 runs before de kock's departure by Embuldeniya. 

Then, Faf du Plessis became the third victim of Embuldeniya. After captain's depurtare for 255, the rest of the batsmen added only four runs for the hosts. 

Keshav Maharaj for four, Kagiso Rabada for duck and Dale Steyn for one. Sri Lanka's Lasith Embuldeniya picked up 5 for 66 while seamer Vishwa Fernando claimed 4 for 71.

With a target of 304, Openers Dimuth Karunaratne (20) and Lahiru Thirimanne (21) gave a good start for Sri Lanka. The pair added 42 before Thirimanne was caught by Faf du Plessis off Kagiso Rabada. In the very next over, Philander dismissed captain Karunaratne. 

The visitors fall came into trouble while Kusal Mendis (0)was sent back by Olivier. However, Sri Lanka batted the last anxious nine overs before the stumps.