Sri Lanka extended their lead over South Africa to 235 despite slipping to 65-3 at lunch on Wednesday on the third day of the second Test at Kingsmead.

Kumar Sangakkara was 28 not out but Sri Lanka lost opener Tharanga Paranavitana for 9 and Mahela Jayawardene for 14 early in their second innings.

Sri Lanka were still pushing towards a commanding lead that would give them a chance of a series-levelling victory.

Sri Lanka has never won a Test in South Africa and fell to an innings defeat in the first match before bowling the Proteas out for 168 on day two in a dramatic turnaround.

Morne Morkel removed Paranavitana and Jayawardene was leg-before-wicket to Marchant de Lange (1-16) for the debutant fast bowler's eighth wicket of the match.