The Proteas have won their sixth consecutive T20I via a domineering display from the spin contingent and a half-century from Quinton de Kock.
Sri Lanka elected to bat first on a relatively slow pitch that was expected to generate more and more turn as the game progressed.
Dinesh Chandimal’s dismissal off Nortje set the tone for a more assertive approach from the visitors, but Kusal Perera and Bhanuka Rajapaksa threatened for most of the Powerplay, taking a particular liking to Kagiso Rabada.
Fortunately for SA, the burgeoning partnership was cut short when part-time offspinner Aiden Markram took an excellent reflex catch from his own bowling to dismiss Rajapaksa.
This brought about a procession, as the Sri Lankan middle-order couldn’t get going for the second time in two games. World #1 bowler Tabraiz Shamsi strung together another routine performance, extracting copious turn from the surface and sending back the dangerous Dasun Shanaka.
The surprise package among the bowlers was Markram, who equalled his best bowling returns (3/21 in 4 overs). He’s often been used as a sixth bowler, but he felt very much at home after sending down one over in the Powerplay. He claimed the priceless wicket of Kusal Perera, who batted through much of the innings.
Bjorn Fortuin and skipper Keshav Maharaj, the two left-arm finger spinners, shared three lower-order wickets between them. All in all, it was a comprehensive rout of the Sri Lankan batting unit. They were bowled out for a measly 103.
Going to the chase, there wasn’t much of a challenge except to negotiate the home team’s spinners during the early phase. Quinton de Kock unleashed his usual attacking strokeplay, hitting boundaries in all the Powerplay overs.
Quinton de Kock was the star with the bat. His 58 off 48 balls took the Proteas over the line to win by a comprehensive 9 wickets with 35 balls to pair.