Australia are now all but locked in to a semi final clash with Jamaica after surviving a scare from South Africa on Thursday morning.

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The Diamonds were challenged for three quarters of their 57-47 win against the Proteas, but ultimately remain the only unbeaten side in their Commonwealth Games pool with just one match to play.

Only a second quarter meltdown from South Africa – where they coughed up an 18-8 scoreline, allowed Australia to escape with the win.

And that is what will disappoint Proteas coach Jenny van Dyk who spoke pre-game of the need to stay focused for four quarters.

“There were moments in there when we had silly errors, let them get on a run,” Aussie skipper Liz Watson said post-match.

“Lots to learn.”

Players from both teams come together after the final whistle.Source: Getty Images

It was van Dyk’s puzzling changes in the second term that saw the Diamonds get out to a healthy double digit margin.

The benching of defender Nicola Smith, who later returned in the second half with an impact, and the introduction of Sammy Ngubane at goal attack failed to pay off.

While able to escape with a 10-goal victory, there’s plenty to work on for Australia as stars Courtney Bruce (five gains, including four intercepts) and Jamie-Lee Price drew plenty of umpire attention down the same end.

Bruce in particular appeared frustrated – despite her brilliance in the first half.

“Don’t get involved in that!” Aussie great Catherine Cox lamented as the star defender got caught up in a tussle with Protea Elmere van der Berg.

“She’s already had a penalty advanced at the same end with the same umpire.

“Similar can be said for Jamie-Lee Price.

“Aussies have got to stay disciplined here.”

Courtney Bruce was clearly unhappy with an umpire’s call.Source: SUPPLIEDCourtney Bruce thought Elmere van der Berg had taken the ball from her hands; but she was instead penalised.Source: SUPPLIED

Price and Bruce finished the equal most heavily penalised players on court with 24 between them.

It took a big Matilda Garrett intercept with less than two minutes to play, when the margin was just five, to ensure the Diamonds came away with victory.

But they failed to win the second half in worrying signs heading into finals.

Pre-game South African coach Jenny van Dyk said she wanted her side to “get in there and disrupt as much as possible”, and that’s exactly what her defenders did in this clash.

Karla Pretorius, in her fourth Commonwealth Games campaign, came up with early wins to help the Proteas to a lead.

“There’s just no flow for the Aussies,” ex-Diamond Kim Green said.

“They are not stuffing around here,” Cath Cox added of the Proteas.

But it was Courtney Bruce down the other end who dragged the Diamonds back into the contest.

She had two big gains to help Australia to a three-goal buffer, but the speed of the Proteas’ play was clearly an issue.

Kate Moloney was dominating through the middle.Source: Getty Images

By the first change, it was the Diamonds holding a 14-13 advantage. But the match turned completely in the second as South Africa were hampered by repeat “poor decision making”, while van Dyk’s changes were also questioned.

Goal keeper Nicola Smith headed to the bench only a minute into the second term with former Super Netball rep Sanmarie Visser injected.

But her arrival couldn’t stop the Aussies’ five-goal burst to start the quarter.

Visser then switched out to GD with Pretorius dropping to the back while Sammy Ngubane came on at GA. But the move turned what had been a fast-paced attack end into a disjointed unit.

“I don’t know that’s the change they would have looked for (Ngubane) – lost the ball three times off the back of handling or missed shots from her,” Cox lamented.

Bruce drew the attention of the umpire with a late challenge on Tarle Nikkita Mathe, and after having her penalty advanced, racked up a few more contact calls.

Courtney Bruce had her penalty advanced for this challenge.Source: SUPPLIED

“Got to tidy it up – would be smart to stay out of a few for a minute,” Cox said.

By half time, Australia held a 32-21 lead.

Coach Stacey Marinkovich opted to keep her starting seven out on court, while again van Dyk cycled through her players – the biggest change Pretorius heading to the bench.

But the return of Nicola Smith (four gains) in defence lifted South Africa – forcing Marinkovich to change up her attack with Sophie Dwyer coming on in GA.

Tilly Garrett saw her first minutes in GD as the Diamonds were caught up in the off-ball drama.

“There’s no need to get into the mix of shoulder charges, pushing – play good netball!” Green lamented as Bruce and Jamie-Lee Price were both penalised.

“It’s just extra effort.”

By the final change, Australia held a 45-35 lead.

South Africa rallied again in the last quarter, leaving Marinkovich to turn back to Austin in a bid to spark the Diamonds.

“This is interesting. Stacey Marinkovich has brought on the experience of Kiera Austin in this moment,” Cox said.

“She is a little nervous.

“She’s been brought on basically to save the day.”

Cara Koenen got the nod at GS with just over eight minutes to go as Austin’s woes going to post continued.

She would finish with 15 goals at just 65% accuracy.

Sophie Garbin was the pick of Australia’s shooters with 33 goals at 97%.

But ultimately Australia held on for a fourth win from four games to join New Zealand as the only unbeaten sides.

South Africa remain in the hunt for a semi final berth – but they need to beat England in their final pool game.

The Diamonds meantime are back in action in less than 24 hours as they take on winless Northern Ireland.

STARTING SEVEN: GS Garbin, GA Austin, WA Watson, C Moloney, WD Price, GD Weston, GK Bruce