Andile Mogakane and Matthew Boast both starred with bat and ball to help South Africa Emerging to a series-levelling 23-run win over Zimbabwe Emerging in the second one-dayer in Tshwane on Tuesday.
Dafabet Warriors all-rounder Mogakane top-scored for the hosts with 70 off 60 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) and his Momentum Multiply Titans counterpart, Boast, struck an unbeaten 51 off 63 balls (4 fours, 1 six) as the hosts amassed 295 for nine in their 50 overs.
This after the tourists won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Groenkloof Oval in what was game two of their five-match series.
Then in reply, the Zimbabweans were restricted to 272 all out in 43.2 overs – Boast finishing with three for 68, Liam Alder ending as the pick of the bowlers with three for 35, Nealan van Heerden bagging two for 65 and Mogakane sending down a miserly none for 35.
It was the perfect response from the South Africans after they lost the first game by six wickets on Sunday.
But they had to work hard after a poor start on Tuesday, which saw them lose Jordan Hermann (9), Valentine Kitime (7) and Daniel Smith (1) all cheaply.
Joshua Richards (43) and captain Mitchell van Buuren (42) did most of the early repair work, although the home side still found themselves just before the halfway point on 120 for five.
It was then over to Mogakane and Boast, who attacked during the second half of the innings, and together with Musa Twala (28) helped their side set a strong 296 for victory.
Nealan van Heerden and Boast landed two early blows in the first four overs leaving the visitors on 24 for two, before Wesley Madhevere plundered 55 off 28 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) to keep his side in the hunt.
Although he was removed by Nealan van Heerden, captain Roy Kia (33) and Clive Madande (40) ensured that Zimbabwe were ahead of the run-rate.
But the South Africans kept chipping away, and despite Brandon Mavuta smashing an attacking 66 off 59 balls (11 fours), the away side were bowled out with nearly five overs to go.
South Africa Emerging squad against Zimbabwe Emerging
Mitchell van Buuren (DP World Lions, captain), Liam Alder (Dafabet Warriors), Matthew Boast (Momentum Multiply Titans), Okuhle Cele (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Michael Copeland (Gbets Rocks), Jordan Hermann (Dafabet Warriors), Valentine Kitime (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Andile Mogakane (Dafabet Warriors), Peter Nqaba (DP World Lions), Siya Plaatjie (Dafabet Warriors), Joshua Richards (DP World Lions), Daniel Smith (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Musa Twala (Momentum Multiply Titans), George van Heerden (Dafabet Warriors), and Nealan van Heerden (Dafabet Warriors).
Management
Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Mandla Mashimbyi (Assistant Coach), Ashler Serwadi (Team Manager), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Arishana Maghoo (Physiotherapist) and Hendrikus Coetzen (Video Analyst).
South Africa Emerging Tour against Zimbabwe Itinerary
Sunday, 13 August at 09:30
South Africa Emerging lost to Zimbabwe Emerging by 6 wickets at Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane
Tuesday, 15 August at 09:30
South Africa Emerging beat Zimbabwe Emerging by 23 runs at Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane
Friday, 18 August at 09:30
South Africa Emerging vs Zimbabwe Emerging at Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane
Monday, 21 August at 09:30
South Africa Emerging vs Zimbabwe Emerging at Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane
Wednesday, 23 August at 09:30
South Africa Emerging vs Zimbabwe Emerging at Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane