COLOMBO, Aug 7: Left-arm spinner Nicky Boje gave South Afrl* a the edge over Srl Lan- ka when he snapped three quick wickets for nine runs off 24 balls on the second day of the third and final cricket Test Monday, reports AFP

Bole's brilliant bowling at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground here saw Srl Lanka slump from 122 for one to 138 for 4 by the close In reply to South Africa's 279.

Boje ended the century partnership between Sanath Jayasuriya and Russel Arnold and then went on to take two further wickets to finish the day with figures of three for 21 off ten overs.

Arnold was superbly caught by Lance Klusener at mid-on for 28 as he tried to loft Boje over the top.

Boje followed It up by having Aravinda de Silva stumped by Mark Boucher for two by a ball that turned sharply to beat the bat and then got the prize wicket of Jayasuriya, who top edged a sweep to backward square leg for Gary Kirsten to pick up a simple catch.

Jayasuriya had batted fluently for his 85 off 113 balls hitting 14 fours, and his loss could be costly for Sri Lanka, hoping to gain a first Innings lead over South Africa.

Before Boje came on the scene. Srl Lanka lost opener Marvan Atapattu for 10 when Nantie Hayward bowled him off his pads.

South Africa were greatly indebted once again to the batting talents of Klusener who stuck It out for 246 minutes to make a top score of 95 not out.

Klusener who hit an unbeaten 117 in the Kandy Test, was on course for his second successive century but ran out of partners.

The big hitting left-hander struck only six fours in his disciplined knock which carried

South Africa from a hopeless I I 7 lor 6 to their final total of 279.

Boje (21) helped Klusener add 54 for the eighth Wicket, and Paid Adams (151 frustrated tire Sri Lankan bowling further with a birther stand that realised 38 runs for the ninth wicket.

Chaminda Vaas dismissed Boje to finish with four wickets for 85 runs. Adams was trapped lbw by Muttiah Muralitharan who ended with three for 70.

Sri Lanka and South Africa are tied at one win each in the three-match series.