South Africa, after being thrashed in the second one-dayer, will be aiming for a better performance in the series decider against Sri Lanka at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
The Proteas hammered the Islanders in the first match but they collapsed in the second encounter as eight of their batsmen failed to touch the double digit mark. Skipper AB de Villiers rued his team's inconsistency and urged them to lift their game.
Hashim Amla has been a standout performer for the touring party as he ended with hundreds in both matches, but the Africans need more than one player to click and stamp impression in the series.
The form and fitness of Jacques Kallis has been under scrutiny as even before the series commenced he suffered a back injury. De Villiers also revealed that the all-rounder has so far played in the series solely as a specialist batsman.
"I was desperate to use him but he is just not ready yet. It could put him back a month or two if we use him too early," de Villiers said. "That was the risk that we came into the game with. We knew he will only bat in the first and the second ODI."
"Hopefully in the third he will be ready again," he added. We are different team if he can bowl a few overs."
Even with the bat Kallis has failed to make any impression as in the series opener he was deceived by Ajantha Mendis, while he was scalped by Lasith Malinga on a short-pitch delivery in the second.
The form of pacer Dale Steyn is a concern for the touring party after he injured his thumb in the second ODI, although there is no fracture but the speedster couldn't move his thumb and is doubtful for the third ODI.
The Lankan Lions seem to have gotten their mojo back and loss in the first match was seen as a minor blip on their recent record. However, as the conditions are expected to favour the seamers, Proteas pacers can trouble the Lions with pace and bounce.
Malinga is nearing his best and it is a good sign for the hosts, however, Nuwan Kulasekara, who has had a decent outing for Lanka in the past, was wayward with his line and length.
The Angelo Mathews-led side will be aiming to seize the hope advantage and clinch the ODI series before taking on the visitors in a two-match Test series.
Expected Line-ups: Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews (c), Ashan Priyanjan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis and Lasith Malinga
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers (c), JP Duminy, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir
Where to Watch Live
The first ODI is scheduled for 10:00 am local (10:00 am IST, 4:30 am GMT) start with live coverage on Ten Cricket and Ten HD in India. Catch ball-by-ball update of the match online HERE. Catch the action live on TV on Ten Sports in Sri Lanka, while viewers can also live stream the action HERE.
Viewers in the US can watch the game Live on Willow TV while the action can also be live streamed HERE. Watch the match in South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa on SuperSport and live online HERE.
