The match was delayed by three hours and 25 minutes because of bad weather. The 40-overs-a-side game was further reduced by one over when a light drizzle set in just as the umpires were walking out to start play.
Despite the slippery outfield, both teams were keen to play a reduced overs match instead of resorting to the unpredictable tie-breaker.
Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga's decision to field after winning the toss paid off as South Africa lost four wickets for 87 by the 17th over.
Two of those wickets were of pinch hitters Nicky Boje (28) and Mark Boucher (0), who were removed in one over by lanky left-arm seamer Nuwan Zoysa.
Skipper Hansie Cronje helped Kallis add 81 for the fifth wicket before he fell in the 30th over for 20.
Kallis plundered five boundaries and as many sixes in his 100-ball knock to give South Africa a challenging over-rate of 6.1 runs an over.
Sri Lanka's target may, however, have to be revised as light rain during the change-over forced the covers back on the wicket.
Tournament rules allow play to be extended by 90 minutes to make up
for lost time with an interval of just 10 minutes between innings.
Date-stamped : 30 Oct1998 - 14:48