Faf Du Plessis century puts South Africa ahead, Sri Lanka toils

Faf du Plessis me a century in his first test since giving up captaincy to take South Africa into le on Day 3 of series opener against Sri Lanka on Monday.

Du Plessis was 112 t out at lunch and South Africa 435-5 to overtake Sri Lanka's first innings of 396 all out. South Africa's first-innings le of 39 might grow into a match-winning one considering how much time was left in test.

Freed from pressure of being captain, du Plessis me his first test hundred in two years and 10th of his career, and turned game around for Proteas after y wobbled at 220-4 at one st on second day.

Du Plessis was aided by Temba Bavuma, who me 71 in pair's partnership of 179. South Africa began day on 317-4 but surged ahe in morning session with du Plessis and Bavuma in charge.

Bavuma was only wicket of session for a Sri Lankan bowling attack that was starting to toil at SuperSport Park in Centurion having lost two players to injury.

Offspinner Dhananjaya de Silva and pace bowler Kasun Rajitha both picked up injuries earlier in test and h to leave field, leaving Sri Lankans depleted as y try to limit South Africa's vant.

Bavuma was out caught behind off allrounder Dasun Shanaka, who has been Sri Lanka's most impressive player after making 66 t out with bat and n taking on ded bowling responsibilities because of absence of de Silva and Rajitha. Shanaka h 2-80.

36-year-old du Plessis struck 16 fours and celebrated three figures by raising both arms in air and unleashing a beaming smile in direction of his teammates sitting outside dressing room. He resigned as captain at start of year and after South Africa's last series, a loss at home to England. 

(Photo Credit: Twitter/OfficialCSA)