Owen Da Gama’s side will now compete in the 8-Nations tournament in Senegal in November, where the top three teams will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Mamelodi Sundowns winger Keagan Dolly got the ball rolling with a fine strike early on before Zimbabwe gave the South Africans a scare by hitting the upright straight after going behind.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Gift Motupa netted a second to give the home side a two-goal cushion and that’s how it stayed.
South Africa had opportunities to add to their lead as Dumisani Zuma, Abbubaker Mobara and Siphelele Ntshangase shot wide but Dolly eventually sealed the result, and his brace, from a direct free-kick late in the game.
South Africa U23: Goss, Macheke, Mngonyama, Rikhotso, Zulu, P Ntshangase, Motupa, Dolly, Fikizolo, S Ntshangase, Zuma
Subs: February, Makhele, Mobara, Konqoba, Modiba, Norodien, Kambule
