Dale Steyn made a triumphant return to One-Day International (ODI) cricket, starring with bat and ball as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 120 runs in the second match of the series at the Mangaung Oval on Wednesday.

Playing in his first ODI in two years, Steyn top-scored with a career-best 60 in a South African total of 198, then took the first two wickets as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 78, giving South Africa a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir took six for 24, including a hat-trick, as Zimbabwe collapsed.

Steyn's batting rescued South Africa from a precarious 101 for seven but it was his fast bowling that probably impressed coach Ottis Gibson the most.

He bowled with plenty of pace and his figures of two for 19 in six overs scarcely reflected the problems he caused for the Zimbabwe batsmen on a pitch of uneven bounce.

Steyn said a stint with English county Hampshire had enabled him to start the South African season in good form.

"I've been playing cricket and I feel cricket-fit," he said. "The wicket was quite tough but it was nice that the opening bowlers had bowled out quite a lot of overs."

Steyn had a 75-run eighth wicket stand with Andile Phehlukwayo (28).

Steyn hit eight fours and a six in an 85-ball innings. His previous best ODI score was 35 against India in Jaipur in 2009/10.

Steyn struck with his seventh ball when he trapped Solomon Mire leg before wicket (LBW) and followed up by dismissing Craig Ervine, who endured a torrid time against the veteran fast bowler before being caught at short midwicket.

"I had a nice breeze behind me and there was pace in the wicket. The wicket was a little up and down. If you run in on a wicket like that things will happen," he said.