The Origin Australian Diamonds will head into tomorrow morning's Quad Series final off the back of three victories, after a convincing 65-48 win over the hosts South Africa.
Stacey Marinkovich's group was intent on breaking its run of poor first quarter performances but would have to do it without leaders Liz Watson and Steph Wood.
The captain and vice captain were not included in the 12 for the clash with the SPAR Proteas, whilst powerful defender Courtney Bruce remained on the bench.
The Diamonds achieved their opening quarter desire pulling out to a three goal buffer (18-15) at the first change despite trailing the hosts during the early stages of quarter.
South African captain Bongiwe Msomi, who had seven feeds and four assists in the opening quarter, was a persistent thorn in the Diamonds side, but it was the work of Ash Brazill that shone for the Australians.
The energetic Magpie collecting two intercepts, two gains and a rare assist in the wing defence bib to ensure an Australian advantage at the first change.
Ash Brazill's high energy defensive effort was key to the Diamonds opening quarter performance.Brazill's Suncorp Super Netball teammate Sophie Garbin began to turn the screw in the second quarter, with her strong hold, powerful leap, smart positioning and dead eye shooting (12/14 in the second quarter) proving too much for SPAR Proteas defenders Shadine Van Der Merwe and Zanele Vimbela.
At the other end of the court Sarah Klau held firm, with two gains and an intercept in the second quarter alone, alongside Sunday Aryang and debutant (Diamond number 190) Tara Hinchliffe who joined the action late in the second quarter, to help push the Diamonds out to a seven goal (35-28) half time lead.
Australia made a number of changes at half time with Kate Moloney (centre), Courtney Bruce (goal keeper) and Sophie Dwyer (goal attack) all coming into the game while Jamie-Lee Price, Sarah Klau and Kiera Austin went to the bench.
Dwyer settled quickly providing strong movement around the goal circle and kept the Proteas defenders on their toes with three assists and eight goals from nine attempts.
Stand in captain Paige Hadley also started to warm into her work, producing a number of bullet passes into the circle, having eight feeds and five assists to help the 'Sophie's' run amok - despite the presence of Proteas star Karla Pretorius.
The Diamonds took a 13-goal lead into the final quarter.
Paige Hadley produced a number of defence splitting passes.Australia finished the game with a fresh midcourt combination, as Kiera Austin returned to the court in wing attack and Sunday Aryang in wing defence, either side of Kate Moloney in centre.
Cara Koenen made the most of her time on court, shooting nine from nine in the last quarter combining well with Sophie Dwyer, who shot five of her own and had seven assists, as the Diamonds closed out an impressive all-round performance.
The Diamonds will now turn their attention to their Quad Series final opponents the New Zealand Silver Ferns, who won through to the final with a 10 goal win over the England Roses, with that game to be played Thursday (3am AEDT).
