There was an initial group stage where each team played each other twice, making a total of six matches, before the one-game final determined the winner.
South Africa A relied on the depth of their bowling attack, with seven different bowlers taking more than four wickets – Dale Steyn took the most with nine – while their captain Jacques Rudolph was the highest run-scorer with 147.
Andrew Puttick and Loots Bosman spent half an hour facing 29 balls to canter to 47 without loss, with Nuwan Zoysa conceded 31 from 17 deliveries – including four no-balls and a wide.
However, a 98-run stand between Jehan Mubarak and Upul Tharanga gave the initiative back to Sri Lanka, and all-rounder Dilhara Lokuhettige could increase the run rate in the final overs, hitting 57 off 39 balls.
Matt Sinclair and Peter Fulton added half-centuries, and New Zealand were going along nicely at 189 for 5, but the four last wickets were lost to Jehan Mubarak – who ended with five for 59.