Muttiah Muralitharan has kept Sri Lanka's hopes of a victory alive after snaring four South African wickets on the third day of the second Test in Colombo.
Proteas batsman Herschelle Gibbs chose an opportune time to return to form with a battling 92 to steer his side to a lead of 297 by stumps.
However, Gibbs fell to Muralitharan just before the tea interval and the momentum swung in favour of the hosts.
After a positive morning session with the bat, South Africa, 106-1 at lunch, struggled to 257-7 at stumps after the world class spinner engineered a stunning comeback.
Having taken his Test tally to 650 in the first innings with a crafty five-wicket haul, Muralitharan currently has 4-86 in the second, one short of equalling his own record of four consecutive 10-wicket match hauls.
Speaking to the BBC after the third day, Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene said he was confident his side could chase down a large total in its second innings.
"We have never won a Test chasing more than 330, but I think we can win this one," he said.
"It's a fast outfield and our batsmen are in form. I am pretty happy because we didn't allow the game to slip away."
Mark Boucher remains unbeaten on 28 with Nicky Boje with him at the crease.
