Netball: Sunshine Coast Lightning strike to sweep aside NSW Swifts

Karla Pretorius has propelled Sunshine Coast Lightning to a crucial clean sweep of the NSW Swifts and further revive their Super Netball title defence.

The South African goal defence was instrumental in continuing the defending champions' late-season surge with a 61-51 home victory at USC Stadium.

Starting the penultimate-round match in fifth place but only one point behind the third-placed Melbourne Vixens, the Lightning were desperate to win each quarter to boost their finals hopes.

They duly delivered with a dominant win that has put the four teams above them on notice.

Led by their international defensive duo of Pretorius and Geva Mentor, Sunshine Coast scooped all four bonus points to move alongside pace-setters West Coast (63) before they meet the Vixens (56) on Saturday night.

A final-round away win over the Vixens would guarantee the Lightning a play-off spot, while they also remain a mathematical hope of an unlikely home semi-final.

After posting a 31-point thrashing of Adelaide last week - the biggest in the competition this season - the 2017 premiers are hitting their straps at the right time of the year.

The Swifts, whose last win was over the Lightning in round seven, had their moments and started the better of the two teams to be up 8-6 midway through the first term.

But it was Pretorius who produced a vital intercept - the first of a game-high six - that turned the momentum.

Then a second by the import just a few minutes later put her side on the way to a 17-13 quarter-time lead.

It became a trend through the match, where Pretorius would expertly snuff out any rearguard action by the Swifts, who threatened to bridge the gap each term.

Teaming with English captain Mentor, the Coast duo were a constant thorn in the side of the Swifts goalers with their attack forced wide.

At the other end of the court, Diamonds goal attack selection Steph Wood (19 from 22) was in superb touch for the Lightning, while Caitlin Bassett (42/46) proved too strong for Sarah Klau.

Mid-courter Laura Scherian was also a pivotal performer for the Lightning in a non-stop display and said they broke down the battle to win each point on offer.

"We just wanted to do it one quarter at a time and we got the eight points and we're very excited by that," Scherian said.

"We need eight points again next week against the Vixens so we'll go back to the drawing board."

Last season's runners-up, the Giants (61), are favourites against the Magpies on Sunday, while the Firebirds (55) will also try to claim all eight points at home against the Thunderbirds.