Sri Lanka were 1-110 at stumps on Saturday’s fourth day after being set a target of 370 to win the first Test against South Africa in Galle.

Sri Lanka need another 260 runs to win the game with nine wickets in hand and three full sessions left in the game.

Kumar Sangakkara was unbeaten on 58 and Kaushal Silva was 37 not out, the pair putting on an unbeaten 96 runs for the second wicket.

Upul Tharanga, who scored 83 in the first innings, was the only wicket to fall before the close, caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock off Dale Steyn’s bowling for 14.

Sangakkara smashed his 49th half-century, as Sri Lanka launched a stunning fightback on day four.

The hosts had been forced on the back foot after being bowled out for 292 to concede a huge 163-run lead in the first innings.

But a sporting declaration by new South African skipper Hashim Amla at the tea score of 6-206 turned the game on its head.

Although no team has scored more than 300 runs in the final innings at Galle, the 36-year-old Sangakkara made a target of 370 look chaseable.

The star batsman had so far hit seven fours and a six in his 58-run knock that came off 89 deliveries.

South Africa began their defence well, with Steyn again giving his side the early breakthrough by dismissing Tharanga.

But Sangakkara was solid at the other end, once dispatching a full toss from legspinner Imran Tahir over the mid-wicket fence for a huge six.

He completed his half-century in style, sweeping Tahir through midwicket for four.

Silva also knocked off some easy runs, smacking part-time spinner JP Duminy for two fours in a row.

Vernon Philander, who on Friday was fined 75 per cent of his match fees after being accused of ball tampering, bowled six wicketless overs for 13 runs.

Earlier, AB De Villiers hit six boundaries in his breezy 58-ball 51 and also shared 62 runs with de Kock (36).

The second and final Test will be played in Colombo from July 24-28.