Free State opening bowler Herman Bakkes, who toured Sri Lanka last year with the South Africa A team renewed his acquaintance with the tourists with a blistering six wickets haul at North West Oval in the one-time capital of the old Transvaal, Potchefstroom.

It was not a great start to the tour against the combined side of North West/Free State and Griqualand West with Test hopeful, Victor Mpitsang failing to make an impression against the visitors who looked to be out of touch.

There had been a warning that September rains had forced the tourists to train indoors for about a month and the outing was the first serious workout they had experienced since their arrival.

Only Tillekeratne Dilshan batted with any confidence but received little to no support and the visitors were dismissed for what their management agreed was a disappointing total of 99.

Dilshan, batting at three, scored 37 as the Sri Lanka A side limped to 56 for six on a firm batting surface.

Former South African Test opener Gerry Liebenberg scored 88 not out in the Combined XI's first innings of 178 for four when bad light stopped play.