Zimbabwe v South Africa, 2014-15

	South Africa won the only Test match played in the series © Associated Press Enlarge
Related Links Series/Tournaments: South Africa tour of Zimbabwe Teams: South Africa | Zimbabwe

Test match (1): Zimbabwe 0, South Africa 1
One-day internationals (3): Zimbabwe 0, South Africa 3

Africa's major cricketing rivalry has barely had the time or the competitiveness to develop the frisson of the Ashes or India v Pakistan. The relationship between South Africa and Zimbabwe is more big brother-little brother, but both sides - particularly the South Africans - tried to play that down to avoid appearing too cosy ahead of what they regarded as a serious contest.

These neighbours had not met in a Test for nine years, back when Zimbabwe were a complete rabble. But, in 2012, South Africa had taken an experimental side to Harare for an unofficial Twenty20 triangular series also involving Bangladesh, and lost to both in the group stage, then again to Zimbabwe in the final. Hashim Amla had been in charge, at a time when he was uncertain about leadership. Now he returned a more assured, aggressive captain, and with a team he could call his own following the retirements of Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis.

Zimbabwe were, as always, going through more disruptive changes. Their structures were shaken two weeks before South Africa's arrival when Peter Chingoka, in charge of the board for more than two decades, stood down; head coach Andy Waller was shunted into an overseeing role and replaced by Stephen Mangongo, while the national captaincy was split. Elton Chigumbura, who had led Zimbabwe through a disastrous 2011 World Cup, was restored to the limited-overs role ahead of the 2015 tournament. But by the last match of this one-day series, his in-tray was stacking up: Brendan Taylor was dropped at Mangongo's behest - as part of a policy to keep even his best players on their toes - while the experienced off-spinner Prosper Utseya was reported for a suspect action.

South Africa's priorities were clear: they fielded a full-strength side for the solitary Test, then - with an eye on the World Cup - rested their leading fast bowlers for the one-dayers. The change of personnel did not matter much: Zimbabwe were weaker than any of the visitors' combinations, which only underlined their need for regular competitive cricket and a stable domestic structure.

Match reports for

Only Test: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Harare, Aug 9-12, 2014
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1st ODI: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Bulawayo, Aug 17, 2014
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2nd ODI: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Bulawayo, Aug 19, 2014
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3rd ODI: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Bulawayo, Aug 21, 2014
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2nd Match: Australia v South Africa at Harare, Aug 27, 2014
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3rd Match: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Harare, Aug 29, 2014
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5th Match: Australia v South Africa at Harare, Sep 2, 2014
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6th Match: Zimbabwe v South Africa at Harare, Sep 4, 2014
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Final: Australia v South Africa at Harare, Sep 6, 2014
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