South Africa survived a three-pronged spin attack to draw the second test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Monday, thereby clinching the series and reclaiming the number one spot on the ICC test rankings.

The visitors were 159 for the loss of 8 wickets at stumps on the final day of the second Test match as Rangana Herath picked up 5 wickets and Dilruwan Perera took 3.

 Earlier, Rangana Herath picked two key wickets with his left-arm spin as South Africa struggled to save the second test.

Herath got rid of Quinton de Kock (37) and AB de Villiers (12) to restrict South Africa to 104-4 at tea. The visitors, who trail by 265 runs, need to bat a minimum 29 overs to avoid defeat.

The bowler, who had accounted for Alviro Petersen’s wicket on Sunday, returned impressive figures of 3-24 off 27 overs.

Skipper Hashim Amla (24 not out) though stood like a rock at one end, having occupied the crease for close to three hours on a deceptively turning wicket.

Chasing a target of 369, South Africa batted with only an intent to draw the game and preserve their 1-0 lead in the two-test series after having won the opening match in Galle.

Even if they draw the game, South Africa will reclaim the world No 1 ranking from Australia.

The second session saw the Proteas score just 49 runs from 47 overs while losing two wickets.

Amla, playing his first series since succeeding Graeme Smith as test captain, had to call the physio twice for a bothersome hamstring but he dug in stoutly.

 The hosts, who posted 421 in their first essay, had bowled out South Africa for 282 in their first innings to gain a 139-run lead.

Sri Lanka declared their second innings on 229-8.