Port Elizabeth - Juan Theron took three for 23, including two wickets in the first over of the match, to help South Africa's Warriors restrict Wayamba Elevens to 153 for nine in their Champions League Group A match Saturday.
Theron removed Mahela Jayawardene off the second ball, and Mahela Udawatte two balls later, to leave Wayamba struggling at 2-2.
A half-century under pressure from opener Jeewantha Kulatunga and some big-hitting by Kushal Perera then rescued the Sri Lankan T20 champions.
Kulatunga counterattacked with 59 from 44 balls and Perera smashed 39 with three huge sixes.
But Makhaya Ntini took two wickets in the last over and spinners Johan Botha and Nicky Boje grabbed one each as the Warriors bowlers struck at regular intervals.