South Africa Emerging failed to bowl out Zimbabwe on day four, as the sides settled for a draw in Kweke in the second unofficial Test on Saturday.

Despite a dominant first two innings of 454 and 214-5d, South Africa could not produce the lethal determination required to repeat their performance that saw Zimbabwe bundled out for 225 in their first innings.

Okuhle Cele, Thomas Kaber and Kyle Simmonds shared six wickets between them as South Africa Emerging were forced to settle for a draw after a defiant Zimbabwe A batted out the final day of their second four-day match.

Fast bowler Cele was the pick of the bowlers, thanks to his 2-25, while spinners Kaber and Simmonds finished with 2-77 and 2-44 respectively after the hosts desperately held on to save the match on 257-8.

They began day four on 30-0, chasing an improbable 444 for victory at the Sports Club, but the tourists could only manage eight of the required 10 wickets,  after some dogged batting.

Kevin Kasuza was the mainstay for the hosts, soaking up 233 deliveries for his innings of 82 not out, while there were also useful supporting hands from Innocent Kaia (40) and captain Chamu Chibhabha (36).

At the end, it meant that the Zimbabweans walked away with a more credible 1-0 series loss after the visitors won the first game by nine wickets.

The two sides will now meet in three one-day matches in Harare, starting with the first game on Wednesday.

SA National Academy Men’s Squad: Karabo Mogotsi (Gauteng), Wihan Lubbe (North West), Yaseen Vallie (Gauteng), Tony de Zorzi (Northerns), Janneman Malan (North West), Senuran Muthusamy (KZN), Isaac Digale (North West), Michael Cohen (WP), Lwandiswa Zuma (KZN), Tladi Bokako (EP), Okuhle Cele (KZN), Migael Pretorius (Northerns), Ndumiso Mvelase (Gauteng), Kyle Simmonds (Boland), Thomas Kaber (Northerns), Kyle Verrynne (WP), Matthew Christensen (EP), Wiaan Mulder (Gauteng).

Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images