South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was at a loss to explain his side's surprise 2-0 home Test series loss to Sri Lanka, an unexpected setback for a team hoping to topple India as the number one side in the world.

Sri Lanka became the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/sri-lanka-defy-the-odds-to-claim-historic-test-series-win-199197">first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa</a> and ended the Proteas' run of seven home series wins in a row, after an epic one-wicket win in Durban and a convincing eight-wicket success in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

"It's probably up there with the most disappointed I have been, certainly from a personal perspective but also for the team," Du Plessis told reporters.

"You don't want to be losing series at home, and obviously we didn't play our best cricket. It's a massive dent, I thought up until this Test series we were looking good. But credit to the team that played the best cricket.

"We were playing well, we were playing positive, aggressive Test cricket. But these last two Tests we were not on it as a team. I wish I can give you an explanation as to why."

South Africa's batting has been a concern for some time and failed again in the series, with a top score of 259 in their four innings.

The batting troubles have often been masked by a much-vaunted bowling line-up that has rescued the team on a number of occasions in Tests.

South Africa have passed 300 eight times in their last 28 innings, which includes being bowled out for 73 by Sri Lanka in Galle last July.

Their cause has not been helped by the seamer-friendly wickets that the team asks for on home soil, though Du Plessis refused to blame the Port Elizabeth pitch for their latest loss.

"There is no finger to be pointed at the wicket. Obviously, they (Sri Lanka) bowled well, but the biggest disappointment is the batting," the captain said.

"We have got some really good batters in there, but probably 99 per cent of the dismissals were soft judgement errors.

"When I was batting it felt like a really good wicket. In the first innings, there was a little bit of nip now and then, but it was a good batting surface."

World Cup

The makeup of the South African one-day international side is different from the Test team, but Du Plessis said they don't want the disappointment of the series loss to hinder the 50-over team just months out from the World Cup in England.

"There is a big five months coming up, so for us it's making sure that you never take your preparation for granted," he said.

"If you see the guys starting to slack a bit in terms of that then you address it as soon as possible because that is the one area you can control.

"The guys should be very motivated for what is coming up, it is one series and then the World Cup."

South Africa and Sri Lanka will next contest a five-match ODI series that starts on March 3.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was at a loss to explain his side's surprise 2-0 home Test series loss to Sri Lanka, an unexpected setback for a team hoping to topple India as the number one side in the world.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was at a loss to explain his side's surprise 2-0 home Test series loss to Sri Lanka, an unexpected setback for a team hoping to topple India as the number one side in the world. Sri Lanka became the first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa and ended the Proteas' run of seven home series wins in a row, after an epic one-wicket win in Durban and a convincing eight-wicket success in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. "It's probably up there with the most disappointed I have been, certainly from a personal perspective but also for the team," Du Plessis told reporters. "You don't want to be losing series at home, and obviously we didn't play our best cricket. It's a massive dent, I thought up until this Test series we were looking good. But credit to the team that played the best cricket. "We were playing well, we were playing positive, aggressive Test cricket. But these last two Tests we were not on it as a team. I wish I can give you an explanation as to why." South Africa's batting has been a concern for some time and failed again in the series, with a top score of 259 in their four innings. The batting troubles have often been masked by a much-vaunted bowling line-up that has rescued the team on a number of occasions in Tests. South Africa have passed 300 eight times in their last 28 innings, which includes being bowled out for 73 by Sri Lanka in Galle last July. Their cause has not been helped by the seamer-friendly wickets that the team asks for on home soil, though Du Plessis refused to blame the Port Elizabeth pitch for their latest loss. "There is no finger to be pointed at the wicket. Obviously, they (Sri Lanka) bowled well, but the biggest disappointment is the batting," the captain said. "We have got some really good batters in there, but probably 99 per cent of the dismissals were soft judgement errors. "When I was batting it felt like a really good wicket. In the first innings, there was a little bit of nip now and then, but it was a good batting surface." World Cup The makeup of the South African one-day international side is different from the Test team, but Du Plessis said they don't want the disappointment of the series loss to hinder the 50-over team just months out from the World Cup in England. "There is a big five months coming up, so for us it's making sure that you never take your preparation for granted," he said. "If you see the guys starting to slack a bit in terms of that then you address it as soon as possible because that is the one area you can control. "The guys should be very motivated for what is coming up, it is one series and then the World Cup." South Africa and Sri Lanka will next contest a five-match ODI series that starts on March 3.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis bemused by team's loss to Sri Lanka

Kusal Perera carried Sri Lanka to a sensational one-wicket win on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Saturday as he hit a career-best 153 not out.

Perera and Vishwa Fernando put on an unbeaten 78 in a last-wicket partnership to secure only Sri Lanka's second win in 14 Test matches in South Africa.

Victory seemed unlikely when the ninth wicket fell with the total on 226, with the tourists chasing a target of 304.

But the left-handed Perera successfully farmed the strike, with South African captain Faf du Plessis persisting with wide-spread fields for the in-form batsman, while Fernando only had to face 27 balls during a 96-ball partnership.

Perera was on 86 when the ninth wicket fell but managed to keep most of the strike and to hit some telling blows in an innings of 200 balls which included 12 fours and five sixes.

"It was a superman effort," said Du Plessis. "He (Perera) deserves all the accolades."

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Sri Lanka have done it! 
 
Kusal Perera's 153* takes them over the line with one of the greatest innings in the history of this brilliant game! 
 
Absolutely incredible.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvSL</a> FOLLOW ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/ILua51ZiiN">https://t.co/ILua51ZiiN</a> <a href="https://t.co/M23vZKId1S">pic.twitter.com/M23vZKId1S</a>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1096760630508441600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Low previous average

South Africa took the second new ball with the total on 263 but still kept most of their fielders on the boundary for Perera, who hit sixes off both Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada before slashing Rabada to third man for the winning boundary.

Perera, who came into the match with a career batting average below 30 and with his only previous century in 14 previous Tests having been made against Zimbabwe in Harare two seasons ago, shared three important partnerships.

He put on 58 for the fourth wicket with debutant Oshado Fernando (37) and 96 for the sixth wicket with Dhananjaya de Silva (48) before his extraordinary association with Vishwa Fernando.

"I'm a little tired now, I don't know what to say," said Perera when he received the man of the match award. "I did my part but we are winning as a team."

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Century for Kusal Perera, his second in Test cricket! 
 
A brilliant innings for his team in a very difficult situation, superb 👏👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvSL</a> LIVE ⬇️<a href="https://t.co/ILua51ZiiN">https://t.co/ILua51ZiiN</a> <a href="https://t.co/n0A2R41WSE">pic.twitter.com/n0A2R41WSE</a>
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The stand with Oshado Fernando was broken by Dale Steyn, who had Fernando caught at second slip by South African captain Faf du Plessis. Two balls later he caught Niroshan Dickwella off his own bowling.

Sri Lanka were still a distant 194 runs short of their target when Perera was joined by De Silva, Sri Lanka’s last recognised batsman.

South Africa, who were without opening bowler Vernon Philander because of a strained left hamstring, struggled for the next two hours as Perera and De Silva brought the target down to single figures.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets off successive balls, dismissing De Silva leg before wicket and having Suranga Lakmal caught at slip.

The next two wickets fell quickly – but what seemed certain victory for South Africa turned into a triumph for the tourists, who are assured of at least a share of the honours in a two-match series.

The second Test starts in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

Kusal Perera carried Sri Lanka to a sensational one-wicket win on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Saturday as he hit a career-best 153 not out.

Kusal Perera carried Sri Lanka to a sensational one-wicket win on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Saturday as he hit a career-best 153 not out. Perera and Vishwa Fernando put on an unbeaten 78 in a last-wicket partnership to secure only Sri Lanka's second win in 14 Test matches in South Africa. Victory seemed unlikely when the ninth wicket fell with the total on 226, with the tourists chasing a target of 304. But the left-handed Perera successfully farmed the strike, with South African captain Faf du Plessis persisting with wide-spread fields for the in-form batsman, while Fernando only had to face 27 balls during a 96-ball partnership. Perera was on 86 when the ninth wicket fell but managed to keep most of the strike and to hit some telling blows in an innings of 200 balls which included 12 fours and five sixes. "It was a superman effort," said Du Plessis. "He (Perera) deserves all the accolades." Sri Lanka have done it! Kusal Perera's 153* takes them over the line with one of the greatest innings in the history of this brilliant game! Absolutely incredible.#SAvSL FOLLOW ⬇️ https://t.co/ILua51ZiiN pic.twitter.com/M23vZKId1S — ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2019 × Low previous average South Africa took the second new ball with the total on 263 but still kept most of their fielders on the boundary for Perera, who hit sixes off both Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada before slashing Rabada to third man for the winning boundary. Perera, who came into the match with a career batting average below 30 and with his only previous century in 14 previous Tests having been made against Zimbabwe in Harare two seasons ago, shared three important partnerships. He put on 58 for the fourth wicket with debutant Oshado Fernando (37) and 96 for the sixth wicket with Dhananjaya de Silva (48) before his extraordinary association with Vishwa Fernando. "I'm a little tired now, I don't know what to say," said Perera when he received the man of the match award. "I did my part but we are winning as a team." Century for Kusal Perera, his second in Test cricket! A brilliant innings for his team in a very difficult situation, superb 👏👏#SAvSL LIVE ⬇️https://t.co/ILua51ZiiN pic.twitter.com/n0A2R41WSE — ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2019 × The stand with Oshado Fernando was broken by Dale Steyn, who had Fernando caught at second slip by South African captain Faf du Plessis. Two balls later he caught Niroshan Dickwella off his own bowling. Sri Lanka were still a distant 194 runs short of their target when Perera was joined by De Silva, Sri Lanka’s last recognised batsman. South Africa, who were without opening bowler Vernon Philander because of a strained left hamstring, struggled for the next two hours as Perera and De Silva brought the target down to single figures. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets off successive balls, dismissing De Silva leg before wicket and having Suranga Lakmal caught at slip. The next two wickets fell quickly – but what seemed certain victory for South Africa turned into a triumph for the tourists, who are assured of at least a share of the honours in a two-match series. The second Test starts in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

Kusal Perera takes Sri Lanka to sensational win in South Africa

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South Africa captain Faf du Plessis bemused by team's loss to Sri Lanka

Kusal Perera takes Sri Lanka to sensational win in South Africa