Sri Lanka impressed with the ball as they bowled out South Africa for just 73 to win the first Test by a whopping 278 runs on Saturday.

At Galle, off-spinner Dilruwan Perera delivered a career-best of 6-32 in the second innings as South Africa were all out in 28.5 overs on day three.

The visitors were set a target of 352 runs after the hosts were all out for 190 in their second innings but the South Africans saw only three of their batsmen reach double figures as Sri Lanka’s spinners ran riot.

Their second innings total meant it was their lowest since being bowled out for 79 against India in 2015 and their lowest since readmission.

Speaking after the match, Perera was pleased to have come out on top. “Every spinner likes to bowl in Galle. I get a lot of drift here,” he said. “It’s very easy to bowl with Herath at the other end. South Africa have struggled in the past against off-spinners. Rangana created pressure from one end, and I got the wickets.”