Australia and New Zealand will meet in the final of the Netball Quad series at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Wednesday affter both won their games on Tuesday.
South Africa fought hard but were outplayed 65-48 by Australia and the hosts finished at the bottom of the series standings, with one draw and two defeats.
It was a strong opening quarter by both sides, with South Africa trailing by three goals at the end of it. However, the 10-time World Cup champions ran rampant, winning every quarter.
For the hosts, Ine-Mari Venter converted 29 of 36 goal attempts, while Nichole Taljaard was successful with nine from 13 attempts.
In the second half, the experienced Lenize Potgieter was on song as she had a 100 percent record, shooting six from six. The lanky Sesandile Ngubane also had some fine moments as she shot four goals from seven attempts.
Australia’s star shooter Sophie Garbin, who finished with 32 from 36, sat out the final quarter after being floored by a heavy hit from South Africa’s goalkeeper Phumza Maweni during the third period. Garbin was replaced by Cara Koenen, who made the most of her time on court by shooting nine from nine.
In the earlier match New Zealnd beat England 55-45, which meant that the Roses had an identical drawn one, lost two, record as South Africa.
England were sloppy throughout, but managed to stay in the game and had the lead with 11 minutes to go in the final quarter.
But they conceded 13 of the last 17 goals of the match to hand the Silver Ferns the win. England led with 11 minutes to go but conceded 13 of the last 17 goals of the game to lose by 10.
South Africa side will play England in the third and fourth playoffs on Wednesday at 4pm, followed by the Australia vs New Zealand final at 6pm.
Tickets for Wednesday’s final day in Cape Town can be bought on TicketPros, with prices ranging from R100-R500.
