SA-SL third Test starts today

South African captain Faf du Plessis admitted on Wednesday that Kyle Abbott's Kolpak defection had been a disruption ahead of the third and final Test against Sri Lanka starting at the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday.

But, he said, the team had "moved on" and were fully focused on completing a clean sweep in the series.

"It's definitely had an effect," said Du Plessis. "It's taken a bit of the shine off our Test series win but it's time to move on and build a new bowling attack."

Du Plessis said South Africa had failed to take an opportunity for a clean sweep in Australia last month.

"In cricket you have a lot of tough times. You don't get opportunities like this very often. It is an opportunity to do it now."

Du Plessis said left-arm seamer Wayne Parnell would replace Abbott but Du Plessis did not rule out a first cap for Duanne Olivier, 24.

"It's the first time I've seen him bowl but there's something there," he said.

Du Plessis praised Hashim Amla, who will make his 100th Test appearance and said he was not concerned about Amla's recent string of low scores.

"He has been the rock of our batting. Together with Jacques Kallis he has probably been the most consistent player we have ever had."