WHILE everyone may still be coming down from the Constellation Cup, the international netball calendar continues to go at full pace.

A mere 48 hours after the end of the Constellation Cup, tonight the Australian Diamonds are back in action, this time against South Africa.

The series could see a number of firsts across the three tests. It is the first standalone series the Diamonds are playing against South Africa in 18 years, and it is the first time Cairns and Hobart are hosting Diamonds matches.

There are also several players across both sides in line for potential international debuts. These include two players that may actually line up on court against each other as direct opponents, Matilda Garrett and Rolene Streutker.

In different ways, both of these teams can use this series to experiment.

For the Australians it is a chance to wind down the year with one last series after a huge couple of months. There is a few new faces in the squad for this series – Garrett, Amy Parmenter and Donnell Wallam – so this series is a perfect opportunity for them to get plenty of court time and build connections with their team mates against opposition that is not as strong as what the Diamonds normally face this time of year.

Meanwhile for the South Africans, it is a chance to build back up. Unlike the Australians the SPAR Proteas have not played since the World Cup, and with a few big names missing, it is a chance for some other players to shine ahead of South Africa’s series with England in December.

For example no Lenize Potgieter means the likes of Lefébre Rademan and Nichole Taljaard should get some good game time.

Australia vs South Africa Squads

Australia

Sunday Aryang, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Paige Hadley, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Amy Parmenter, Jamie-Lee Price, Donnell Wallam, Liz Watson

South Africa

Khanyisa Chawane, Boitumelo Mahloko, Kamogelo Maseko, Phumza Maweni, Bongiwe Msomi, Rolene Streutker, Refiloe Nketsa, Karla Pretorius, Lefébre Rademan, Jeanté Strydon, Nicola Smith, Jamie van Wyk, Elmeré van der Berg, Ine-Marí Venter, Nicholé Taljaard

Australia vs South Africa Fixture

Wednesday 25 October – Cairns Convention Centre – 6:30pm AEST

Sunday 29 October – MyState Bank Arena, Hobart – 5pm AEDT

Tuesday 31 October – MyState Bank Arena, Hobart – 8:30pm AEDT