The two right-handers came together after Zimbabwe had slumped to 48 for five chasing South Africa’s 295 for five, but their run-a-ball association couldn’t help their team pull off an improbable victory.
Matsikenyeri made 86 and Taibu cracked an unbeaten 103, his second one-day ton, as Zimbabwe finished on 250 for six.
Put in to bat, South Africa rode on consistent contributions throughout the order, Albie Morkel providing the final flourish with a 39-ball unbeaten 50.
Score board
SOUTH AFRICA
Amla c Vermeulen b Cremer 80
Smith c Mpofu b Price 35
De Villiers c Vermeulen b Price 51
Boucher c Vermeulen b Price 18
Petersen c Cremer b Chibhabha 39
A Morkel (not out) 50
McLaren (not out) 6
Extras (LB-3, W-13) 16
Total (for 5 wkts, 50 overs) 295
Fall of wickets: 1-67, 2-157, 3-185, 4-202, 5-288.
Bowling: Mpofu 10-0-70-0, Chibhabha 9-0-64-1, Price 10-0-44-3, Utseya 10-0-59-0, Cremer 10-0-47-1, Matsikenyeri 1-0-8-0.
ZIMBABWE
Vermeulen c Amla b Tsotsobe 8
Chibhabha lbw McLaren 21
Masakadza c Boucher b Steyn 11
Taylor c Boucher b McLaren 2
Taibu (not out) 103
Chigumbura b Steyn 4
Matsikenyeri b McLaren 86
Cremer (not out) 1
Extras (B-1, LB-5, W-8) 14
Total (for 6 wkts, 50 overs) 250
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-35, 3-40, 4-44, 5-48, 6-236.
Bowling: Steyn 10-0-51-2, Tsotsobe 8-0-41-1, Langeveldt 8-0-33-0, McLaren 10-0-51-3, Botha 10-1-41-0, Morkel 4-0-27-0.
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