Australia won their seventh Quad Series in eight tournaments as they beat New Zealand 56-50 in the final after England had secured third place with victory over South Africa earlier in the day in Cape Town.

The Silver Ferns had led 31-30 at half-time before Australia fought back to claim the second half 26-19 and seal yet another title that strengthens their place as favourites heading into this year’s World Cup, also at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Goal shooter Cara Koenen starred for Australia as she finished 33 from 34 with welcome support from goal attack Steph Wood’s 23 from 28.

New Zealand were led by Grace Nweke with 39 from 45 and Ameliaranne Ekenasio’s 11 from 11 but were made to pay for seven turnovers in the third quarter.

It marked Australia’s fourth straight victory over the Ferns dating back to the Constellation Cup in 2022.

“Really, really happy with that one, we were able to play New Zealand two times while we were here and I think we felt it in that second match,” said Australia captain Liz Watson.

“It’s really good confidence-building for us, we put out a really great last quarter, that’s what we’ve been wanting to do this whole series so it’s great to have that win.

“I think it was just staying patient with our attack and we know they play really great area defense so being able to read that and not throw into what they’re setting up… it takes a lot of thinking and vision.

“New Zealand are great at slowing down our natural fast pace so it’s trying to build that tempo up and get the style we want to play so I was happy we could do that.”

England finished their Quad Series campaign on a high as they defeated South Africa 49-42 on Jade Clarke’s landmark 200th appearance for the Roses.

Funmi Fadoju, who was not born when Clarke made her debut in 2003, starred as Player of the Match to preview a starring role when England return to Cape Town for the Netball World Cup later this year.

Jess Thirlby’s changes again moved into the spotlight as a rotation of her initial front seven in the second quarter saw England combat a rhythm-building Proteas attack and build a 25-23 lead heading into the third.

Clarke and Helen Housby returned to the court in the third before Fadoju produced a string of crucial turnovers to dent South Africa’s momentum as the teams refused to be split at 11-11 ahead of the final 15 minutes.

The return of Layla Guscoth helped solidify the Roses defensively in the final quarter while Eleanor Cardwell rejoined the attack to assist Housby in establishing a five-goal lead for her side.

Fadoju proceeded to blunt South Africa’s response with two superb takes in the defensive third before England build on their lead inside the five minute mark, Thirlby’s side eventually seeing out the win buy a seven-point margin.

Hosts South Africa snatch a dramatic 46-46 draw with England on day two of the Netball Quad Series being held in Cape Town, while Australia stayed unbeaten with a narrow win over New Zealand.

While Australia have won two of two games at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the competition behind them is steep, with NZ and England boasting one win.

After the scores had been tied at half-time, South Africa pulled out a three-point lead going into the final quarter, but England came back to lead entering the final seconds in Cape Town.

However, despite being a player down for the closing stages after Phumza Maweni had been dismissed for overly aggressive defending, South Africa levelled as Lenize Potgieter showed great composure to sink the final shot of the game.

The result leaves England without a win after two games, having lost Saturday’s opener to Australia, and with their fate out of their hands. To reach the final, England will need to beat New Zealand on Tuesday and hope other results go their way.

“I think we had a moment to win that game, and that’s really hard to take,” England captain Natalie Metcalf said.

The Roses made a bright start, as Funmi Fadoju maintained her brilliant defensive play to help open up an early five-goal lead.

However, South Africa responded well, and took advantage of a couple of England errors to hold a 13-12 lead at the end of the quarter, much to the delight of a vociferous home crowd.

A more steady second quarter saw Potgieter pace South Africa’s scoring, ending the half having made all 15 attempts, but England were able to level the score at 23-23.

South Africa came out for the second half with greater intensity, and strong defensive play helped them establish a three-goal lead going into the final 15 minutes.

In the final quarter the scores were level before Maweni received a suspension, which the Roses immediately took advantage of to take the lead.

England then denied South Africa’s first attempt to equalise, but then failed to score against their weakened opponents, offering up one last chance, with which Potgieter made no mistake.

Australia later guaranteed their place in the final by making it two wins from two with a narrow 59-57 victory over New Zealand.

Stephanie Wood produced a clinical display in attack to give the Diamonds the opportunity to rotate their line-up against South Africa on Tuesday.

The result leaves New Zealand, England and South Africa vying for a place in the final in Tuesday’s closing pool-stage games, with goal difference potentially the deciding factor.

The tournament is providing the perfect opportunity for the sides to prepare for the World Cup, which takes place in Cape Town in July and August.

New Zealand and Australia both won their opening matches at the Netball Quad Series at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday. On Sunday those two teams meet, while the orher game sees hosts South Africa take on England.

South Africa were beaten 61-41 by New Zealand, while Australia overcame a shock second half nine-goal deficit to beat a wasteful England 61-55.

In the first match it was New Zealand who managed to enter the first break with a four-goal lead.

The intensity of the match was heightened by the hosts’ experienced defensive duo of Karla Pretorius on Goal Defense and Goal Keeper Phumza Maweni, who worked tirelessly to turn ball by applying pressure in the oppositions’ shooting circle.

New Zealand continued to protect their cushion through Grace Nweke but South Africa were determined to fight back.

New Zealand coach Noeline Taurua broke the game open in the third quarter, making six changes to her side, including the introduction of Jane Watson.

The Silver Ferns extended their lead to ten goals in the first four minutes of the championship quarter.

A big task faced South Africa in the final 15 minutes as they were trailing by 20 goals. But time was not on the Proteas’ side, although they drew the last quarter 11-11.

‘’I’m pleased we are out there. Australia and New Zealand have had a Constellation Cup, five games. England came in and played New Zealand for three games as well as Australia. England also played Jamaica. We, have played a team that is ranked 13th and a team that is ranked 35th,’’ said SA coach Norma Plummer.

Australia looked off from the first whistle and managed just six goals in the opening 10 minutes as England star shooter Eleanor Cardwell (39/42 at 93%) took advantage.

But a third quarter blitz rocked the Roses as Australia piled on 11-straight goals – and 14 of the last 15 goals of the quarter to take control.

And from that point, the Australian’s never looked back.

But their captain Liz Watson conceded it was a “messy” match to open their 2023 account. “You’ve got to take those wins when you can,” she said. “I think we had momentum but not consistently.

“There’s lots and lots to work on for Sunday (against New Zealand).”

England won the final quarter 14-13 but were disappointed by the result.