New Zealand's netballers were given a timely wake-up call by South Africa on their way to the semi-finals at the world championship in Singapore on Friday.
The South Africans led the world No.1 side 11-10 by the first break in their quarter-final before the Silver Ferns lifted to storm home 58-28.
In the semi-finals on Saturday the Kiwis will face England, who steam-rolled Northern Ireland 87-16.
New Zealand captain Casey Williams said her side couldn't afford to repeat their lax start against the world No.3 English side.
"I think if we have a start like that against a side like England they will blow us out of water, it would be like catch-up netball," Williams said.
"I think it's a good wake-up call for us to know that the next three games aren't going to be as easy as the pool games."
The Ferns recovered to take the second quarter 17-6 for a 27-17 halftime lead and coach Ruth Aitken was happy with how her charges responded.
"I would have liked four quarters of dominance but I think in the long-term it will be better for us to have had a little bit of awakening of the next level of intensity."
