South Africa have closed a rain-affected first day against Sri Lanka on 4-80 at Kingsmead, after no play was possible after lunch in the first Test in Durban.

Lahiru Kumara took 2-35 as the visitors used the seamer-friendly conditions to dismiss the South African top order in a fixture both are desperate to win to maintain their chances of reaching the World Test Championship finale.

Home captain Temba Bavuma (28) and Kyle Verreynne (nine) will resume on Thursday, with the weather forecast for the next few days good.

Sri Lanka won the toss and asked South Africa to bat in overcast and blustery conditions, and had them in early trouble as they found prodigious movement off the wicket.

The first three South African wickets fell to catches in the slips as Sri Lanka's seamers found the edge.

Aiden Markram (nine) nicked Asitha Fernando to Angelo Mathews at first slip, before fellow opener Tony de Zorzi (four) edged Vishwa Fernando to Kamindu Mendis at second slip.

Tristan Stubbs reached 16 before he became Kumara's first victim when he was caught by Dimuth Karunaratne at third slip as the visitors continued to find a probing line that forced the batters to play.

David Bedingham (four) was then bowled through the gate by a delivery that nipped back into him from the dangerous Kumara.

Both sides are still in the running for a place in the WTC final but will likely have to win at least three of their final four tests in the cycle. A draw suits neither.

South Africa host Pakistan for two Tests after the two-match series with Sri Lanka, who welcome Australia for two matches starting in January.