South Africa got off to a fantastic start in the series-deciding second and final test against Sri Lanka in Colombo as fast bowler Dale Steyn took two wickets in two balls.

He was the star of South Africa’s big win in the first test at Galle and Steyn picked up from where he left off as he sent opener Upul Tharanga and big-hitter Kumar Sangakkara back into the dressing room during a sharp opening spell.

The Proteas were able to pick up a third wicket when spinner JP Duminy dismissed the other opener Kaushal Silva for a well-made 44.

At the lunch break, Sri Lanka were 115-3, with star batsman Mahela Jayawardene batting on 53 and skipper Angelo Mathews yet to open his account.

Tharanga gloved to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock off the fifth ball of Steyn’s third over to give the visitors a brilliant start.

Then Steyn struck again off the very next ball to dismiss Sangakkara. The left-hander tried to pull a short delivery, but succeeded only in top-edging it tamely to square leg where Imran Tahir took an easy catch.

Sri Lanka would have been in deeper trouble but Alviro Petersen dropped Silva on 10, failing to judge which way the ball was going while fielding in the slips, off Philander’s bowling.