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Johannesburg - Head coach of South Africa's netball team, Elize Kotze, is confident they will show an improved performance at the Quad Series in Australia and New Zealand.
"We have had such a high-pressure, high-intensity training camp and all the players coped well," Kotze said ahead of the teams departure on Monday.
"We've had more speed sessions, working harder and doubling up on defence and on attack.
"We've analysed all the teams and their strategies and we have lots of information, so we know what we will face.
"We are taking it each game at a time, with our first match against New Zealand so that's where our focus is at the moment."
Kotze believed the tournament would give the team a good indication on what still needed to be done ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
A win against any of the three top-ranked sides - Australia, New Zealand and England - which they face in the Quad series, could see the Proteas improve on their ranking.
They are currently positioned sixth in the world.
"It is important for us to win and improve our ranking," Kotze said.
"It will show that we have been making progress as a team.
"Playing against any international side puts a lot of pressure on the team and this tournament will help us measure our progress and correct the areas that need attention."
Vice-captain Zanele Mdodana also believed the tour was a good opportunity to see where they are in their planning for 2014.
"We have had a busy year with tours and I believe this is a great opportunity for us," Mdodana said.
"The more you play against top teams the better you become."
In August, the Proteas beat Malawi 47-43 in the final of the inaugural Diamond Challenge and enjoyed a clean sweep over Northern Ireland in July at the Netball Challenge Test Series.
They were also rewarded with their first victory over Jamaica in 45 years during a Test series played in July.
