WTC fate on the line as Gqeberha Test heads for thrilling finale

South Africa require five wickets and Sri Lanka need 143 to win as the second Test heads for a potentially exciting conclusion with both sides desperate for victory as they chase a place in the World Test Championship final.

Sri Lanka were 5-205 at stumps on the fourth day on Sunday, chasing a target of 348 to win and square the series, while South Africa will be looking to run through the remaining batters and secure a 2-0 win on Monday.

An unbeaten stand of 83 between captain Dhananajaya de Silva and Kusal Mendes, both 39 not out, offered Sri Lanka hope as they kept up a brisk run rate of more than four per over, although they would need to significantly better the most successful run chase at the venue, Australia's 8-271 against South Africa in 1997.

The pair will resume on Monday with Sri Lanka needing a win to stay in contention for a berth in the WTC decider at Lord's next June. 

If South Africa can secure victory, they will go above Australia into top place on the standings.

After dismissing South Africa for 317 soon after lunch, Sri Lanka came out with attacking intent but lost openers Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne before tea.

Karunaratne was lbw to Kagiso Rabada for a single while Nissanka hit four boundaries before perishing for 18 as he chased a wide delivery from Dane Paterson, who then had Dinesh Chandimal trapped lbw for 29 at the start of the last session.

Keshav Maharaj's spin accounted for Angelo Mathews, who was bowled for 32 when he missed a delivery that was tossed up.

The dangerous Kamindu Mendes scored 35 off as many balls, but got a bat-pad to a Maharaj delivery with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne diving forward to take a one-handed catch right under the feet of the batter.

Earlier, spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took a first five-wicket haul outside Sri Lanka with figures of 5-129 and captain Temba Bavuma top-scored for the hosts in their second innings.

Bavuma, 34, resumed overnight on 48, completing his 24th Test fifty in the first over, and moved on to 66 before being undone by Jayasuriya.

South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 233 runs in Durban to win the first match of the two-Test series.