Zimbabwe not only have to pull off a second shock victory in the space of five days but must also beat South Africa by a big enough margin to qualify for a one-day tri-series final against Australia.
The hosts stunned the cricket world on Sunday when they beat Australia, who were the No.1-ranked ODI team at the time, for the first time in 31 years.
The result gave Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope that they could reach Saturday's final, but their chances grew even slimmer when Australia beat South Africa by 62 runs on Tuesday to clinch their spot in the final.
That left Zimbabwe needing not only a bonus point win over South Africa on Thursday, but also to significantly improve their inferior net run rate if they are to qualify at the Proteas' expense.
"We have to play out of our skins again and do the processes right," captain Elton Chigumbura said.
"If we do that and play our best cricket then you never know what can happen, it's a game of cricket."
While Malcolm Waller had been due to leave the Zimbabwe squad for a six-a-side tournament in South Africa on Tuesday, his departure has been delayed after he played a useful role in Sunday's victory.
Waller added six overs of spin that prolonged Australia's difficulties with the bat and then saw off Nathan Lyon during his innings, which set the platform for Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya's heroic partnership in the three-wicket win.
Zimbabwe's task will be made even harder by South Africa's decision to play a full-strength side on Thursday.
Given that the Proteas have a net run rate of 0.118 and Zimbabwe's is -1665, it had been thought that the tourists may rest some players.
"I don't see it like that. We feel that Zimbabwe is a threat now," Faf du Plessis said.
"They play well in these conditions and they prepare wickets that suit then.
"We expect a slow-turner in the next match. We need to beat them now. I don't think it's time to rest players."
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