Australia have taken a major step towards clinching the Quad Series with a hard-fought 58-52 netball Test victory over South Africa in Canberra.
While the Diamonds extended their record to 35-0 over the Proteas on Wednesday night, the game was in the balance at halftime with the scores at 27-all.
Shooter Caitlin Thwaites was outstanding for the home side, netting 30 goals at 91 per cent in the first three quarters before skipper Caitlin Bassett replaced her in the final term.
The Diamonds six-goal victory came after New Zealand were upset by England, meaning Australia will clinch the series with victory over the Silver Ferns in Invercargill on Saturday night.
Australia took control of the match in the third quarter, grabbing a five-goal lead at the six-minute mark of the term.
With Bassett asserting control in attack, the Diamonds pulled away in the final quarter despite a determined South African outfit proving they can push the World No.1.
Australia got out to an early lead, netting the first four goals of the match before South Africa hit back to shave the margin to three at quarter-time.
The Proteas came out firing in the second term, and a five-goal run midway through the quarter allowed them to open up a two-goal advantage.
Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander looked to her bench, with goal attack Gretel Tippett replacing Tegan Philip and it didn't take long for the former WNBL rookie of the year to make an impact.
She unleashed her trademark lay-up as Australia eroded the Proteas advantage.