COLOMBO: Hashim Amla hit his 13th century in one-day international cricket and shared a 151-run stand with his captain AB de Villiers to propel South Africa to 304 for five in 50 overs in the first of three ODIs against Sri Lanka.

Amla scored 109 including eight boundaries and a six in his 86th game. De Villiers made 75 off 70 deliveries including five boundaries and a six.

South Africa made a steady but cautious start after choosing to bat first at R. Premadasa Stadium, scoring 58 for the first wicket off 77 deliveries. Opener Quinton de Kock looked well-set before he chased a wide delivery from Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews to be bowled off the edge for 27.

Veteran Jacques Kallis, who is playing his first international in seven months, lasted just two deliveries and was out without scoring trapped lbw by Ajantha Mendis.

He had last played for South Africa in December last year against India.

Kallis' dismissal brought Amla and De Villiers together and they provided the base for a challenging total.

Spinner Mendis picked up three wickets for 61 including those of Amla and JP Duminy (16) in 10 overs and raised hopes of a Sri Lankan recovery in the latter stages of the tourists' innings.

But David Miller (36) and Ryan McLaren (22) shared an unbeaten stand of 55 runs for the sixth wicket to help their team finish on a high.