Retirements no impediment for Diamonds

Lisa Alexander is dismissing the suggestion a new era in Australian netball is set for launch following the retirement of five accomplished stars.

The Diamonds return to the court for the first time since claiming silver at the Commonwealth Games when they face South Africa in Auckland on Saturday.

Their Quad Series campaign then features Tests against Games champions England in Newcastle on Wednesday and New Zealand in Melbourne four days later.

They'll do so without three members of their Games squad who all retired in the space of a week in July.

The departure of former captain Laura Geitz, midcourter Madi Robinson and shooter Susan Pettitt robbed the Diamonds of more than 200 caps.

Sharni Layton announced her Australian career was over days later while Renae Inglis pulled the plug on 2018/19 at international level two weeks ago, having previously come out of retirement.

Long-serving coach Alexander said while the experience drain will have an impact, there will be less ripples than might be expected.

Most of the retired group had been in and out of the gold dress for form or injury reasons in recent campaigns.

"For example we didn't have Laura Geitz for a couple of years. It was great she could come back for the Commonwealth Games but really, we had established a way of playing without her," Alexander told AAP.

"Madi had her injury problems here and there and the others haven't featured for different reasons. I'd say the culture of this current group has been building for 18 months now."

Captain/shooter Caitlin Bassett and midcourter Kim Ravaillion are the only squad members boasting more than 50 caps.

Alexander admits extra focus has gone into the defensive circle, where April Brandley's 28 caps makes her the most experienced stopper.

However, Alexander backs all of a young group to handle the pressure of the Quad Series because of the constant exposure to the speed and intensity of Super Netball.

That includes the squad's only uncapped player, midcourter Kelsey Browne, the younger sister of Robinson.

Dominant throught the Games on the Gold Coast, the world champions came unstuck in the one-goal final loss to England.

It suggested a need to improve their mental strength when games get tight, Alexander said.

That could be tested against the Proteas, who they have never lost to but were more than nuisance value during a four-goal win in January.

Boasting exceptional Sunshine Coast Lightning defender Karla Pretorius and Kiwi-based shooter Lenize Potgieter, the South Africans' weak link could be the midcourt.

Coach Norma Plummer has been forced to introduce three uncapped players there because of injuries.

The most glaring absentee is centurion Erin Burger, the world class centre who has suffered an inflamed heart muscle, placing her future in the sport in doubt.