They were fighting for the colonies because it led to control in the British Empire, South Africa, and Egypt and. Zulu was finally defeated by the British after many fights. A war between the British and the Boers broke out because the British were trying to take the Boers's fortunes ( diamonds and gold) which led to a raid set up by the British, which failed. Resulting in a war. Following the Boer Republic is the South African War. The South African War, also known as the Boer War, lasted...