Folau stars, NZ beat Sth Africa in netball

New Zealand showed they would be no pushovers for Australia in the Quad Series with a 61-37 crushing of South Africa in Tauranga on Tuesday.

The Silver Ferns bounced back from a heavy opening loss to England with a compelling performance against the fifth-ranked Proteas.

Goal attack Maria Folau was the game's standout figure, sinking 35 of 37 shots, many of them from long range.

It was a contrast to New Zealand's poor shooting return when they succumbed 52-39 to the Roses on Saturday in a disappointing first Test outcome for new coach Noeline Taurua.

The service from midcourters Laura Langman and Gina Crampton improved against the looser South African defence and Folau found her range early as the hosts powered 17-7 clear in the first quarter.

They stretched that advantage gradually, allowing Taurua to introduce 18-year-old goal shoot Aliyah Dunn on debut in the final quarter.

Australia, who opened with a 61-44 win over the Proteas, meet England in Newcastle on Wednesday.

The Diamonds face the Silver Ferns and England meet South Africa in a Melbourne double-header to conclude the series on Sunday.