Vishwa Fernando took his first five-wicket haul in Tests as Sri Lanka fought back on the second day of the second and final Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday.

But the tourists were still in deep trouble, losing first innings top-scorer Kusal Perera in the third over of their second innings.

Sri Lanka were 16 for one at tea, a deficit of 129 runs.

The left-armed Vishwa took five for 101 as South Africa were bowled out for 302, a first innings lead of 145 runs, despite reaching 218 for one. Namesake and debutant Asitha Fernando and medium-pacer Dasun Shanaka took two wickets each.

South Africa lost their last nine wickets for 84 runs after Shanaka dismissed Dean Elgar for 127, breaking a second-wicket stand of 184 between Elgar and Rassie van der Dussen (67).

South Africa's collapse seemed an unlikely scenario when Elgar and Van der Dussen scored 68 runs off 14 overs in the first hour of the day. But the mid-morning drinks break brought a change in fortunes, with both batsmen dismissed in the first two overs after drinks.

Elgar, who made 95 in South Africa's innings win in the first Test at Centurion, completed his 13th Test century after starting the day on 92. He hit 22 fours in a 163-ball innings.

Perera, who made 64 and 60 in his previous two innings, was bowled for one by a ball from Lungi Ngidi which swung in from around the wicket.

Sri Lanka slowed South Africa's momentum by taking four wickets in the hour before lunch on the second day of the second and final Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday.

South Africa remained in control, however, as they reached 256 for five at the interval, a first innings lead of 99.

South Africa dominated the first hour of the day as Dean Elgar (127) and Rassie van der Dussen (67) scored 68 runs off 14 overs after resuming on 148 for one.

But the mid-morning drinks break brought a change of fortune.

Elgar edged Dushmantha Chameera's second ball after drinks to first slip, ending a second-wicket stand of 184 with Van der Dussen, who fell in the next over, gloving a catch down the leg side to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off Dasun Shanaka.

Faf du Plessis and captain Quinton de Kock both fell cheaply, to Shanaka and Vishwa Fernando respectively. Shanaka had figures of two for 42 at lunch.

Elgar, who made 95 in South Africa's innings win in the first Test at Centurion, completed his 13th Test century after starting the day on 92. He hit 22 fours in a 163-ball innings.

Brief scores at tea on the second day of the second and final Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday:

Sri Lanka 157 and 16-1

South Africa 302 (D. Elgar 127, H. van der Dussen 67; V. Fernando 5-101, A. Fernando 2-61, D. Shanaka 2-42)

Match situation: Sri Lanka trail by 129 runs with nine wickets remaining in the second innings

Toss: Sri Lanka