Classic clashes

The Proteas and Sri Lanka have produced some epic clashes in big tournaments over the years. Here are four memorable encounters between the two: World Cup

2003 Defeats against the West Indies and New Zealand meant hosts South Africa had to beat Sri Lanka in Durban to advance to the Super Sixes. A century by Marvan Atapattu (above) put the Proteas on the back foot, and when the heavens opened for a second time and brought an abrupt end to proceedings, the hosts had to settle for a dramatic tie via the Duckworth/Lewis method and an early exit. Champions Trophy 2006 Facing a must-win game after opening their campaign with a loss against New Zealand, the Proteas laboured to 219/9 on a sporting track in Ahmedabad before pin-point accuracy from Shaun Pollock (above) and Makhaya Ntini ripped the heart out of the Sri Lankan batting line-up to set up a comprehensive 78-run win. Champions Trophy

2009

Sri Lanka took revenge for their 2006 defeat three years later when a 87-ball hundred by opener Tillakaratne Dilshan (above) rocked the hosts in their opening match in Centurion. Reduced to 206/7 in pursuit of a stiff target of 320, rain brought an early end to the match, which Sri Lanka won by 55 runs via the Duckworth/Lewis method. World Cup

2015 Having never won a World Cup knockout match before, the Proteas broke their duck with an emphatic nine-wicket win in Sydney. The perfect bowling display helped South Africa dismiss the Islanders for a mere 133, which included a late hattrick by part-time off-spinner JP Duminy, after which Quinton de Kock (above) finally found form with an unbeaten 78.