von Bertouch's injury not as bad as first thought

As if they didn't need another confidence boost, Australia's netballers look likely to have their captain fit and available for next week's return match against the Silver Ferns.

Natalie von Bertouch says the ankle injury suffered on Sunday isn't as bad as feared and she's a chance of playing tomorrow night against South Africa in Wellington.

von Bertouch says after a tough injury run she hadn't been overly happy with her form, coming back into the side.

But she says she won't be out too long, if at all.

"I'm hoping it's not much of a setback. I'm hoping that today I go out and I can run around and put my hand up for Thursday's match and then won't feel like I've lost too much from that. But it's always challenging and I'm just thinking that's my third one so surely that's my last one."

Australia's match day 12 is named later, with Pulse shooter Caitlin Thwaites desperate to make the cut and a potential test debut against "home" fans.