Opening batsman Amla made 112 off 128 balls. He shared a partnership of 144 for the second wicket with Kallis - and 72 and 91 for the third wicket with his new Captain Villiers who made 52 runs. It was always a tough target for Sri Lanka to chase but their hopes were dashed almost immediately as they made a disastrous start with new ball bowlers Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe both taking three wickets in their opening spells.

Morkel finished with four for 10 and was awarded the Man of the  Match Award. The left-armed Tsotsobe claimed three for 19. Sri Lankan captain Tillekeratne Dilshan acknowledged that South Africa had produced "fantastic bowling" at the start of his team's innings. South Africa Captain De Villiers said it had been a "dream start" to his captaincy.

Only Kosala Kulasekera showed some fight and made 19, the only Sri Lankan to reach double figures, before Morkelgot him caught. Sri Lanka's previous lowest total was 55 against the West Indies in Sharjah in 1986/87. Their collapse happened on the same ground where they dismissed Canada for a then world record low 36 during the 2003 World Cup. For Sri Lanka, Malinga finished with five for 54. Skipper De Villiers was in sparkling form as he hurried to a half-century off 36 balls with seven fours.

The South African cricket team looks in great form, and it will be an uphill task for the Lankans to recover and make it a competitive series from here on.