South Africa captain Faf du Plessis hailed a super-human effort from Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Perera who played one of the greatest Test knocks of all time to secure a one-wicket win in the Durban Test.

The Lankans were on the verge of defeat when they subsided to 110-5 and 226-9 chasing 304 but Kusal held his nerve with an astonishing 153 not out to get them over the line. His knock contained 12 fours and five sixes while he provided the bulk of the runs in an unbroken stand of 78 with Vishwa Fernando – the highest partnership for the last wicket in a successful chase in Test history.

After Perera’s monumental effort that was arguably one of the finest Test innings of all time that secured one of the greatest ever wins, South African captain Faf du Plessis hailed the Sri Lankan’s match-winning effort.

“It was a superman effort,” Du Plessis said. “He (Perera) deserves all the accolades. Very disappointing to end on the losing side.

“I think we were 50 runs short in the first innings and another 30-50 in the second. But I still thought 300 was enough but great batting took it away from us. We lost Vern (Vernon Philander to injury), but with three seamers and Keshav (Maharaj, spinner), I still backed my side. You have to give credit where it’s due,” the skipper added.

Man of the match Perera was at a loss of words after his knock. “I am bit tired now,” Kusal said. “I don’t know what to say. The lower order supported me well. This is a special win for us. We did a lot of homework, a lot of hard work.”

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who inherited a side without batsmen Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal and with three main fast bowlers injured, lauded the fight shown by his players.

“We have lost a lot of matches in the last few years, so it’s a proud moment for us, the team, and for me as captain. Kusal batted really well. Getting a hundred in South Africa is not easy, against this fast bowling attack.”