Proteas comprehensively won by an innings and 236 runs to wrap the series 2-0 after confining Zimbabwe to their heaviest defeat by runs in the first Test of the series in Bulawayo.
It was South Africa’s tenth Test win on the trot, including their victory over Australia in the WTC 2025 final last month.
Fast bowlers Corbin Bosch (4-38) and Codi Yusuf (2-38), along with left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy (3-77), played key roles as the Proteas bowled out Zimbabwe for 220 to seal a 2-0 Test series sweep in Bulawayo.
Despite fielding a second-string side, South Africa were in control from the outset, with stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder’s unbeaten 367 – the highest individual score by a South African in Test cricket – powering the tourists to 626-5 declared.
Zimbabwe showed some resistance in the first session on Tuesday, adding 69 runs for the loss of one wicket after resuming on 51-1. Nick Welch struck 55 and captain Craig Ervine fell just short of a half-century with 49, following the early dismissal of overnight batsman Takudzwanashe Kaitano for 40.
But the hosts collapsed after lunch, losing six wickets for just 31 runs as Bosch and Yusuf ripped through the middle order. Wellington Masakadza and Tanaka Chivanga added 36 for the last wicket, but the damage had been done.
The result marked a 10th consecutive Test win for the world champions – surpassing their previous record of nine in a row between 2001 and 2003.
The teams will meet again in Harare on Monday for the start of a T20 Tri-Series that includes New Zealand.
Meanwhile six international players, Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada and Ryan Rickelton, and Proteas women Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp and Annerie Dercksen are in line for the Cricket South Africa awards to be held during a gala function at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on 31 July.