Johannesburg, South Africa: Sri Lanka were facing an innings defeat after losing six wickets in their follow on innings on the third day of the third and final Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.

Sri Lanka were 124 for six in the second innings after South Africa's fast bowlers sent them tumbling to 131 all out in the first innings. 

Despite a fighting half-century by opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, they still needed 171 runs to avoid an innings defeat and a 3-0 series whitewash.

There was no respite for the tourists on a pace-friendly pitch with South Africa's four bowlers sharing the wickets.

Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada both took three wickets in the first innings, while new cap Duanne Olivier and left-armer Wayne Parnell took two apiece.

Sharing the new ball with Philander in the second innings, Rabada took a wicket with his first ball when Kaushal Silva gloved a catch to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. He added the wicket of Karunaratne, who was bowled for 50 shortly before tea.

Parnell bowled Kusal Mendis before Olivier dismissed Dhanajaya de Silva and captain Angelo Mathews, both with the help of catches at second slip by South African captain Faf du Plessis, the second a spectacular one-handed leaping effort.

Philander took his first wicket of the innings when Dinesh Chandimal was caught at first slip.

In a dismal day for the tourists, Sri Lanka were able to add only 51 runs to their overnight first innings total of 80 for four.

The early damage was done by Philander and Rabada, who dismissed overnight batsmen Chandimal and Mathews. They finished with three for 28 and three for 44 respectively.