South Africa booked a slot into the Final through winning five matches out of the six they played. The slot for the second finalist was decided in the last league match between South Africa and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka had to beat South Africa to qualify. When they were beaten, Pakistan and Sri Lanka tied on points. Pakistan qualified for the Final by having a better head-to-head record against Sri Lanka, having won two and lost one of the matches between the two teams.[1]
South Africa beat Pakistan in the Final to win the series.
Nuwan Zoysa joined the Sri Lankan party on 25 March to replace Chaminda Vaas who suffered a right ankle injury in the 1st Test. However, Zoysa twisted a knee so Vaas was reckoned to be fit enough to play in the one-day series.[8]
Note: during the isolation of South Africa from international cricket between 1970 and 1991, there were seven unofficial tours (italicised below) by various teams, collectively known as the South African rebel tours.