A moment of hesitation opened the door for South Africa as Sri Lanka battled to save the first Test at St George's Park on Thursday.

Sri Lanka were 240 for 5 at close on the fourth day after being set an improbable 488 to win.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SOUTH AFRICA: First innings 286

SRI LANKA: First innings 205

SOUTH AFRICA: Second innings 406 for 6 decl (Cook 117, Elgar 52, Amla 48, Du Plessis 67 not out, De Kock 69; De Silva 2-91)

SRI LANKA: Second innings 240 for 5 (Karunaratne 43, Silva 48, Mendis 58, Mathews 58 not out; Rabada 2-72, Maharaj 2-84)