The Proteas KO’d Sri Lanka inside four days in the Boxing Day Test on Tuesday, sending their visitors planke toe by an innings and 45 runs.
The victory capped a superb fightback from the South Africans after they were on the ropes following the visitors’ stewige first- innings score of 396.
Dean Elgar (95) and Aiden Markram (68) then got the hosts off to the perfect start in their reply with an opening stand of 141.
But the hero of the Proteas’ first and only innings was former captain Faf du Plessis, who scored a career-best 199 before spooning a ball to mid-on.
Man of the Match Du Plessis was well supported by Temba Bavuma (71) and Keshav Maharaj (73) as SA totalled 621 runs all out.
Trailing by 225 runs, the Lankans – with Dhananjaya de Silva, who retired hurt on 79 in the first innings, out injured – could only get to 180.
Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder and debutant Lutho Sipamla, who claimed four scalps in the first innings, all took two wickets apiece.
Of winning his first Test in charge of the team, captain Quinton de Kock says: “It feels very good – winning a Test match is never easy. It’s been a year since we’ve won one.
“Day One we were a bit disappointed with our bowling performance… then... the guys showed great character.
“Coming into the third innings, the boys showed great intent with the ball.”