Jade de Klerk took 5-57 as SA Emerging beat Zimbabwe Emerging by an innings and 186 runs in the first four-day match in Bulawayo.
The hosts were bundled out for 184 in their second innings – sealing the result before lunch on day four.
The South Africans batted just once in the game, amassing 586-6 declared either side of the home side being dismissed, the first time for 216.
Zimbabwe began the day on 123-4 thanks to some fight from Alistair Frost, but the key overnight man fell just three runs into the day for 36 when he edged Dian Forrester (1-31) to wicketkeeper Ntando Zuma in the sixth over of play.
Arinesto Vezha lasted 53 balls for his six runs before perishing along with Brandon Mavuta (nought) in the same De Klerk over.
That left the hosts on 137-7, with strong resistance then put up by Ernest Masuku (16) and Larvet Masunda (29).
However, they fell within the space of two deliveries as Lesego Senokwane (2-10) and De Klerk cleaned up the tail to leave the Zimbabweans all out in 80.2 overs.
The second match between the sides takes place at the same venue starting on Wednesday.
