Leg spinner Imran Tahir claimed 5/23 as South Africa beat Zimbabwe comfortably by 34 runs in the first T-20 international at East London.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Proteas started badly by losing the debutant Gihahn Cloete early to Kyle Jarvis for 2 runs.
Quinton de Kock too fell for 5 runs. South African skipper Faf Du Plessis made a quickfire 34 runs off 20 balls before falling to 21 year old leg spinner Brandon Mavuta.
Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller put on an 87 run partnership for the fourth wicket, before Miller departed for a breezy 39.
Van der Dussen brilliant 56 helped South Africa post a modest total of 160/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Kyle Jarvis was Zimbabwe’s best bowler as he took 3 wickets for 37 runs in 4 overs.
After being set a target off 161 runs, Zimbabwe started terribly by losing first three wickets for just 11 runs.
Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams steadied the ship somewhat by adding 29 runs before Taylor fell to Junior Dala for 19 runs.
As seen on cricketquote Tahir wrecked the middle and lower order batsman by claiming wickets of Tarisai Musakanda, Williams, Elton Chigumbura and Chamu Chibhabha.
Peter Moor (44) and Brandon Mavuta briefly (28) added 53 runs for the eight wicket to raise Zimbabwean hopes, before Mavuta fell to Junior Dala caught by Lungi Ngidi, as Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 126 runs in 17.2 overs.
Dala and Ngidi claimed 2 wickets each. South Africa take a 1-0 lead in the three match T-20 Series.
The second T-20 will be played at Potchefstroom on October 12.