Australia coach Lisa Alexander denied charges of complacency after her team edged their way into the Netball World Cup final with a 55-53 win over South Africa.
Four players including captain Caitlin Bassett were rested after their single-goal win over New Zealand in the group phase, and the triple defending champions almost paid a heavy price.
Led by top scorer Lenize Potgieter, the South Africans, who had been brushed aside 58-47 by England on Thursday, hit back from an eight-goal half-time deficit and twice brought the game back within a single point.
Alexander said: "We did not pick this team because we under-estimated South Africa at all. We picked it because we thought it matched up best on them - that's how much we respect them."
Alexander paid tribute to the way her side, who also withstood a comeback against the Silver Ferns, held their nerve with goal shooter Caitlin Thwaites finishing with a perfect 30-for-30 record.
She added: "In these moments it's about playing our own game and not getting caught up in all the crowd. They've got to keep their composure when the crowd is going right off."
