South Africa brushed records aside to beat Zimbabwe by 62 runs, as the Proteas’ World Cup campaign began in emphatic style.
Having lost the toss in their Pool B clash, South Africa had a very shaky start at Seddon Park in Hamilton, with Zimbabwe reducing them to 83 for four, but those were the only wickets lost.
JP Duminy scored 115 and David Miller 138, as the duo put together a record fifth-wicket stand - 256 off 29.4 overs - propelling South Africa to 339 for four, including 111 in the last six.
Zimbabwe regained plenty of momentum in their chase as Chamu Chibhabha clocked 64 at the top and Hamilton Masakadza blasted 80 off 74 balls, and they at one stage looked likely contenders for victory as well, needing 106 in the last 10 overs.
However, Imran Tahir got rid of both batsmen, and later added Tinashe Panyangara to his tally, as Zimbabwe’s last four wickets fell for just 41 runs to leave them stranded on 277.
Zimbabwe's decision to field first was wholly justified in the first 20 overs. Quinton de Kock departed early for just seven to Tendai Chatara, with Panyangara accounting for Hashim Amla.
Francois du Plessis settled things with 24 and put on 46 with AB de Villiers but both would soon be heading back, Elton Chigumbura and Tafadzwa Kumungozi doing the damage.
That was the last piece of joy for Zimbabwe, as Miller and Duminy began slowly, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a relatively modest rate of around four.
South Africa were still on 193 at the start of the 40th, but then began the main assault, with at least a four in every over - the 47th saw Miller hit Solomon Mire for three sixes and as many fours.
Miller had already reached three figures by then, ironically with a single in the 46th, with Duminy reaching his landmark in the final over, which yielded 19.
#ImranTahir was the pick of the Proteas bowlers. 10-0-36-3 #ProteaFire#SAvZIM#cwc15pic.twitter.com/VOtuepU2zZ
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 15, 2015
Zimbabwe’s response was strong, Chibhabha cracking Morne Morkel for three fours in the second over, though Sikandar Raza fell for just five to Vernon Philander.
Chibhabha and Masakadza added 105 together which put Zimbabwe in a strong position at 191 for three by the time they were both back in the dressing room.
Brendan Taylor hit four fours and a six for a run-a-ball 40, though the wheels had slowly started to come off as he and Sean Williams departed in successive overs.
And after Chigumbura was run-out in the 41st over, Zimbabwe failed to mount a rescue act, even though Mire had a late cameo of 27, which included hitting Dale Steyn for two fours and a six.