Set a target of 302, Athapaththu was in sublime form to rip the heart out of the home side's attack, hitting 26 fours and five sixes as Sri Lanka won at a canter with more than five overs to spare.

In a battle of the captains, Athapaththu's knock trumped Laura Wolvaardt's 184 not out that was the highest individual score by a Proteas Women batter.

Athapaththu's score was the third-highest individual score by a batter in women's ODIs and also helped Sri Lanka level the three-match series after one game was rained out.

The Sri Lanka skipper shared a match-winning 179-run fifth-wicket partnership with Nilakshika de Silva, who herself struck a career-best unbeaten 50.

Sri Lanka leave South Africa after their most successful visit after winning the T20 series 2-1 and then drawing the ODIs.

Earlier, the Proteas Women would have been confident of claiming series after Wolvaardt carried her bat majestically throughout the 50 overs to help her team reach 301-5.

It was Wolvaardt's eight career hundred and looked to have sealed the match before the hard-hitting Athapaththu had the final say.

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Finished India in Australia Test Series