Neil McKenzie applauded the tenacity of Zimbabwe's bowlers as they made South Africa fight for victory in the final one-dayer on Sunday.

McKenzie hit an unbeaten 69 to shepherd his team to a six-wicket win with nine overs to spare.

But he said the variations used by the home side's seamers had made it tough work at the crease.

Zimbabwe's batsmen had only posted 184 for six from their 50-over allocation, however, so the tourists always looked on course for a 3-0 series win.

McKenzie said: "It wasn't an easy track and I think the Zimbabwe bowlers used it quite nicely.

"Zimbabwe are quite effective in that they bowl slower balls and cutters and that sort of stuff.

"You struggle to score and it's not like you're going to bash them through the covers too often.

McKenzie and Justin Ontong, who made 32, put the innings back on track with a fourth-wicket stand of 64 after South Africa had lost three wickets in the space of 15 balls.

"I thought Justin played a good knock and took the game to them," McKenzie said.

South Africa coach Graham Ford said his team deserved praise for sticking to their task.

"We've achieved what we set out to do," Ford said. "You've got to play one situation at a time, and we've come through various situations in Zimbabwe in Test cricket and one-day cricket very well."

More cricket back home

South Africa return home on Monday to play in a triangular series against India and Kenya, which Ford knows will present new challenges.

"We go into a whole new situation when we get home and I think everybody's aware that it's going to require turning it up a notch or two," Ford said.

"We're trying to work on not worrying about the opposition, the state of the series or anything like that - but to really work on our disciplines and skill levels."

McKenzie was named man-of-the-match, while South African opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs was man-of-the-series.

The BBC Sport Online columnist compiled 233 runs at an average of 77.67.