Faced with the almost impossible task of scoring 330 runs for victory, Zimbabwe laboured to 198 for seven off their 50 overs in the second game of the three-match Standard Bank limited-overs cricket series at Kingsmead on Sunday to lose by 131 runs.
It leaves them 2-0 down with one to play in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.
To their credit, the Zimbabweans did not fold up and die against a South African attack missing Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini as opening batsmen Barney Rogers (47) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (16) put up an opening stand of 71.
However, the required run rate of 6,6 runs to the over was never achieved, especially in the early stages, and that meant that the target was never going to be within in reach of the lower order.
Rogers was unlucky not to get to his half-century as he flicked an Albie Morkel delivery around the corner for Nic Boje to take a comfortable catch. He had struck seven boundaries along the way.
Hamilton Matsikenveri and Brendan Taylor got quick twenties before being dismissed as the required rate climbed above 12 runs to the over with 16 overs to be bowled. It was clearly a lost cause at this stage.
When skipper Taibu (16) holed out to Hall off Adam Bacher, there was not much batting left but Zimbabwe did well to last through the full 50 overs on the day. That was largely due to an excellent late knock by Sean Williams, who finished unbeaten on 33.
After initially stumbling to 67 for three off 15 overs, the South African Proteas ”old firm” of Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs set about once again destroying the limited Zimbabwe attack as South Africa eventually posted 329 for five in their 50 overs.
Smith and Gibbs unleashed an avalanche of boundary strikes in a fourth-wicket partnership of 134 in just more than 26 overs, and later Justin Kemp smashed an unbeaten 53 off 21 balls.
Gibbs made 75 in 79 minutes off just 73 deliveries. More effectively, he struck eight fours and a six and seemed well set on his way to a 16th one-day international century.
Smith followed up his tonne against England at East London with a third international limited-overs 100 as he went on to make 117 — bettering his previous best by two runs — before being caught on the mid-on boundary by Masakadza, again off Rogers.
Kemp made a meal of his stay at the crease with five booming sixes and two fours scored off no more than 21 balls. He had reached 50 off 19 balls to join Mark Boucher on the mark for the fastest half-century for the Proteas’ international one-day games.
In their post-match interviews, Smith said that once again it was a notable team effort from the Proteas.
Taibu said that Zimbabwe had learned something more about the harsh realities of international cricket and said they will use the Port Elizabeth match to further their international cricket education. — Sapa