[5] South Africa opted to bat first, lost openers Gibbs and Hall for ducks, but captain Ashwell Prince shared a fifth-wicket stand of 141 with de Villiers, and Shaun Pollock also made an unbeaten half-century with the tail before Makhaya Ntini was caught on the final ball of the first day to close on 361.

South Africa were left with four main bowlers, and as Steyn could not find his first innings effectiveness, and Mahela Jayawardene stood up with a six-hour 123, Sri Lanka managed the chase.

Originally, South Africa was set to play Sri Lanka and India in the tri-nation Unitech Cup one-day cricket tournament.

Following a series of bomb blasts in the Sri Lankan capital, relating to the renewal of terrorist activity plaguing that country, Cricket South Africa employed an independent security consultant to determine the risk posed to players.

[6] Following South Africa's withdrawal, Sri Lanka and India were scheduled to play a One-day International series, but this was rained off.