Faf du Plessis therefore took the reins for the Proteas, who already hold a 2-0 lead in the series, and won the toss and opted to field at Queens Sports Club.
South Africa had already confirmed that opener Hashim Amla would be rested, while Imran Tahir also made way as fast bowler Marchant de Lange played his first international in more than two years.
Zimbabwe made three changes to their side, which included the bold decision to drop premier batsman Brendan Taylor.
Malcolm Waller came in for Taylor, while leg spinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi and medium-pacer Tinashe Panyangara replaced seamers Neville Madziva and Brian Vitori.
Teams:
Zimbabwe: Richmond Mutumbami, Hamilton Masakadza, Sikander Raza Butt, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura (capt), Luke Jongwe, Prosper Utseya, John Nyumbu, Tinashe Panyangara, Tafadzwa Kamungozi.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, Faf du Plessis (capt), JP Duminy, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Wayne Parnell, Kyle Abbott, Aaron Phangiso, Marchant de Lange, Mthokozisi Shezi.