Quinton de Kock rescued the Proteas after another top-order collapse on Day One of their first Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
The wicketkeeper led the Durban hosts to a respectable 235 with his knock of 80 after coming to bat with the score on 89/4.
A 47-run partnership with Keshav Maharaj and a 33-run 10th-wicket stand with Dale Steyn was the only notable support De Kock got in his 95-ball innings.
De Kock was the only Proteas batsman who looked untroubled by the Sri Lankan attack on a lively Kingsmead wicket that seemed to rush the top order early on.
South Africa made a disastrous start after losing the toss and being put into bat.
Dean Elgar was first to go for a four-ball duck as Vishwa Fernando got him to play inside the line and edge to gloveman Niroshan Dickwella for an easy catch.
Hashim Amla (3) was next in the hut when he was caught in two minds trying to leave Suranga Lakmal’s back-of-a-length delivery.
The ball kissed his bat and Kusal Mendis took a brave catch in the slips, diving forward to scoop out the hometown favourite.
Aiden Markram (11) was then clean-bowled by Fernando to leave SA in trouble at 17/3.
Temba Bavuma and skipper Faf du Plessis (35) set about rebuilding to 89/4 before Bavuma was unlucky to be run out for 45 when De Kock’s straight drive deflected off Fernando.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will resume on 42/1 trailing by 186 runs with nine wickets in hand.