The tourists, set a challenging victory target of 325 runs on a crumbling pitch, batted out the day to finish on 203 for three, with all rounder Jacques Kallis unbeaten on 52.

Smith, restored to the opener's berth after his recovery from a virus, defied Sri Lanka's five spinners during the first two sessions on his way to a match-saving innings from 209 balls.

However, the left-hander's unusual dismissal two balls before tea, when he inadvertently kicked an Upul Chandana delivery on to his stumps, raised Sri Lanka's hopes of forcing a win.

But Kallis, South Africa's leading batsman, continued South Africa's rearguard effort in the final session of play. He added an unbroken 68 runs for the fourth wicket with first innings centurion Jacques Ruldolph, who finished 27 not out.

Dippenaar, standing in for the injured Herschelle Gibbs in the series opener, was caught at silly point off Muttiah Muralitharan in the 16th over of the day.

Sri Lanka's bowlers were then frustrated after a couple of strong shouts for leg before, against Smith on 20 and Martin van Jaarsveld on nought, were turned down.

NARROW ESCAPE

Smith, on 32, also survived a narrow escape when an appeal for caught and bowled off Chandana was referred to the television umpire shortly before lunch.

However, the replays were inconclusive as to whether the ball had touched the ground before ballooning up off his boot. The batsman was adjudged not out.

After lunch, van Jaarsveld, on 18, was dropped at first slip by Thilan Samaraweera after edging a Chandana leg break.

The second-wicket pair added 64 runs before Tillakaratne Dilshan trapped van Jaarsveld lbw with a straighter delivery.

Kallis and Smith, however, averted any chance a collapse with a solid stand of 37 in 120 balls.

Muralitharan, unable to use his controversial 'doosra' delivery, failed to make much of an impression on the final day, toiling away for 20 overs for figures of one for 37.

The second and final Test, being played at the Sinhalese Sports Club, starts on Wednesday.

Scorecard:

Sri Lanka first innings 486 (M.Jayawardene 237, C.Vaas 69, K.Sangakkara 58; S.Pollock 4-48)

South Africa first innings 376 (J. Rudolph 102, J. Kallis 59, B.Dippenaar 46; M.Muralitharan 4-130)

Sri Lanka second innings 214-9 declared in 67 overs (S. Jayasuriya 74; N.Boje 5-88)

South Africa second innings (overnight 7-0)
G.Smith b Chandana 74
B.Dippenaar c Jayawardene b Muralitharan 11
M.van Jaarsveld lbw b Dilshan 29
J.Kallis not out 52
J.Rudolph not out 27
Extras: (b-1 lb-4 w-4 nb-3) 10
Total: (for three wickets, 90 overs) 203

Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-98, 3-135

Did not bat: M.Boucher, S.Pollock, L.Klusener, N.Boje, M.Ntini, N.Hayward

Bowling: Vaas 10-3-20-0 (nb-1 w-1), Jayasuriya 17-7-30-0, Dilshan 16-5-30-1, Maharoof 5-2-4-0, Muralitharan 20-5-37-1 (nb-1), Chandana 18-1-60-1, Samaraweera 3-0-13-0, Sangakkara 1-0-4-0 (nb-1 w-1)

Result: Match drawn

Next match: Second Test, 11-15 August, SSC Colombo