The Lankans who were invited to bat collapsed sensationally for 105 in 36 overs and the South Africans cruised to their target making 106 for the loss of 5 wickets in 26.3 overs.
The homesters although they had two early shocks losing Kirsten bowled Wickremasinghe for nought and Gibbs caught Kaluwitharana also off Wicklremasinghe for 10 cruised to victory Kallis and Cullinan added 50 for the third wicket before Kallis was taken bat pad by Atapattu off Muralidaran for 39 at 74.
Cullinan went caught and bowled Dharmasena for 18 at 80 and Boucher was run out for 5 at 91, Rhodes (23) and Pollock (2) did the waltz as they took their side to victory without further loss.
The Lankans who captured five South African wickets must certainly be rueing their inability to have made a bigger score considering that the wicket was playing tricks and batting a second time was not easy as proved by the SA collapse.
Roger Telemachus who had two wickets was named man of the match. The match was over at 3.35 p.m. (South African time).
Reuters added: BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, April 19 (Reuters) South Africa, spearheaded by pace pair Roger Telemachus and Shaun Pollock, routed Sri Lanka for 105 to reach the final of the triangular limited overs series on Sunday.
Sri Lanka's inadequate total was passed for the loss of five wickets in 26.3 overs by South Africa, who play Pakistan in the final at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.
South Africa's five-wicket win was effectively set up by man-of-the-match Telemachus, who took two for 23 in eight overs, and Pollock, with three for 21 in eight overs.
The new-ball pair reduced World Cup champions Sri Lanka to 26 for four -- a plight from which they never recovered.
South Africa's pace bowlers fully exploited the little movement they could get out of a good batting surface after Sri Lanka were put in.
Pollock's victims included the key wicket of Aravinda de Silva, who was caught behind by Mark Boucher for nought.
Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka's captain and the other bulwark of their batting, went soon afterwards for 13 whe he tried to turn Allan Donald down the leg side and was caught off a glove by Boucher.
Roshan Mahanama was top scorer with 22 as Jacques Kallis (2-16), Hansie Cronje and Pat Symcox helped to polish off the innings.
Kallis completed a useful all-round contribution by making 39 to steady South Africa after they were 24 for two, openers Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs having fallen cheaply to Promodya Wickremasinghe.
A third wicket stand of exactly 50 by Kallis and Daryll Cullinan dashed Sri Lanka's outside hopes of a comeback.
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South Africa win double-wicket tourney
Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Springbok Park, Bloenfontein, South Africa, Sunday
The organisers of the Standard Bank triangular tourney, the United Cricket Board of South Africa heaped further humilation on the Sri Lankans when they were asked to play a double wicket tourney to please the large crowd that was disgusted with the performance of the Lankans in the final preliminary one - day game here today.
Originally it was announced that Sanath Jayasirya and Aravinda de Silva will play for Sri Lanka and Lance Klusner and Shaun Pollock for South Africa. But the teams were later changed to Derek Crookes and Lance Klusner for SA and Upul Chandana and Kumara Dharmasena for SL.
The crowd sat through patiently taking in this mockery which was brought about by the listless batting display of the world champions Sri Lanka.
The fielders were mixed in this tourney.
Batting first the Lankan pair made 26 in the six allotted overs and the South Africans replied with 47.
The winners Derek Crookes and Lance Klusner received 5000 Rand from the sponsors Standard Bank.
Thus ended a disappointing tour for the Sri Lankans.