Although the selectors named a provisional squad for the second unofficial test of the three-match series, at the Welagedara Stadium, Gary Gilder, who has yet to find his way on the team sheet this tour, gets his chance at the seamer-friendly venue.
Graham Ford, the coach, said he would try and strike the right balance as the rotational plans most likely see possibly Claude Henderson miss out along with Loots Bosman.
So far the side has had 11 blank days and attempting to make this up in two during the game against the Board XI at De Soysa Stadium in Moratuwa meant leaving out a bowler. At least it gave the batsmen a chance to get in some invaluable practice.
But finding the right balance in the bowling attack at a venue where Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock built their sub-continent reputations is a challenging one for the South African A selectors.
It was during the SA Under-24 three years ago that the Natal duo did much to establish a form of superiority over the Sri Lankans three years ago. And 12 months earlier Fanie de Villiers had destroyed the Board President's XI with a five-wicket haul.
Whether the South Africa A side have bowlers of a similar calibre on this tour will be seen over the next four days when they tackle Sri Lanka A in the second unofficial Test at the Welagedara Stadium in Kurunegala: a 90 minute drive from this mountain retreat.
Chances are we will see Gary Gilder and Herman Bakkes sharing the new ball in this second game of the series with the extra seamer in either Alan Dawson or Henry Williams as the main support. Williams, so static at Kandy, was a far better prospect yesterday at De Soysa Stadium in Moratuwa where he was unlucky not to take a couple of wickets.
And the selectors, headed by the coach, Graham Ford, also need to think closely about their spin options. Nicky Boje bagged seven wickets here three years ago and is likely to find Derek Crookes as his main support in this match.
At this stage, on the evidence of the form at Moratuwa over the past two days, Martin van Jaarsveld could be pressed into service as an opener with Mark Bruyns.
But there are plenty of options open to the selectors while the prospect of facing Test fast bowler Chaminda Vaas as he attempts to convince the Sri Lankans that he is fit to resume his career is the sort of challenge both batsmen should enjoy.
Teams
South Africa A (possible): Mark Bruyns, Martin van Jaarsveld, HD Ackerman, Herschelle Gibbs, Dale Benkenstein (capt), Derek Crookes, Nicky Boje, Nic Pothas, Alan Dawson, Herman Bakkes, Gary Gilder.
Sri Lanka A: Sajith Fernando (capt), Avishka Gunawardena, Upeka Fernando, Sanjeewa Ranatunga, Manoj Mendis, Malintha Warnapura, TM Dilshan, Tilan Samaraweera, Indika Gallage, Malinga Bandara, Chaminda Vaas. Twelfth man: Indika de Saram.