After losing the first encounter of the three-match series by 93 runs, Zimbabwe looked in position to launch something of a fightback as they bowled out the tourists for the first time in an ODI since 1999, dismissing South Africa for 257 in 49.4 overs in Bulawayo.
However, the Zimbabwe batting line-up could not back the performance of the bowling attack, the hosts reduced to 196 all out from 49.1 overs.
Seamers Wayne Parnell (3-28) and Ryan McLaren (3-21) did the majority of the damage for South Africa, with Sean Williams (55) the only player offering any kind of resistance for Zimbabwe as the hosts' hopes of a surprise victory were quickly put to bed.
Quinton de Kock scored a quickfire 38 to get South Africa off to a good start before spinner John Nyumbu (2-44) removed Hashim Amla (15) and De Kock before captain AB de Villiers (1) was run out to leave his side struggling on 60-3.
But Faf du Plessis' 55 and a knock of 45 from David Miller helped South Africa recover from that precarious position to post a respectable total, although they could not prevent Zimbabwe from bowling them out following admirable efforts from Williams (2-37), Brian Vitori (2-57) and Prosper Utseya (2-39).
Yet any momentum Zimbabwe may have had diminished almost immediately after their opening batsmen took to the crease, with captain Elton Chigumbura's men slumping to 59-5 within the first 22 overs.
Williams was able to steady the ship with his belligerent half-century, but his departure ended any realistic hope of a Zimbabwe triumph as the exertions of tailenders Neville Madziva (25) and Vitori (20 not out) proved to be in vain.