New Zealand warmed up for another titanic contest with Australia, cruising to a 36-goal win over South Africa in the quad series netball competition in Adelaide on Sunday.

The Silver Ferns led by 14 goals at half-time and then stormed to the 63-27 victory, the world's No.2 team putting on a clinic for the big crowd at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

New Zealand even had the luxury of starting captain Casey Williams and legendary shooter Irene van Dyk on the bench, bringing them on in the second half.

Van Dyk hit a perfect 28 goals from 28 shots while the skipper Williams was too tall and too strong at wing defence despite coming back from a knee injury after missing last month's series against Australia.

Fellow defender Katrina Grant was also impressive, taking the player of the match award.

For South Africa, goal shooter Christina Bootha tried hard, hitting 19 goals from 22 attempts, while goal keeper Vanes-Mari du Toit battled all game against almost impossible odds.

The Silver Ferns take on England next when the series moves to Newcastle on Wednesday but must have one eye on next Sunday's contest with Australia after beating the Diamonds two games to one in September.

Williams said it was good to get back on the court and reported no pain or problems with her knee.

"But as I've been saying, just because it feels good we can't just go out there and thrash it," she said.

New Zealand coach Waimarama Taumaunu said she was disappointed with the team's start but pleased they settled before half-time and then lifted the tempo in the second half.

"Even when you've got a game that you do win by close to 40 goals, we've each got individual tasks that we've got to improve on," she said.

And she insists the focus will not shift onto Australia until after Wednesday's contest with England.

"We focus on each game as they come," Taumaunu said.

"And our focus is to look at each game, improve what we think needs improving and take steps forward each time we go on the court.

"That's sort of our mantra."