Australia thrashed Fiji 101-32 for their third win at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town ©Getty Images

The top-four ranked sides each won their preliminary round first stage groups at the Netball World Cup, and were among the 12 teams who progressed to the next phase in Cape Town.

The top three teams in each of the four groups progressed to the preliminary round second stage at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Those in Groups A and B advanced to Group F, with the top three in Groups C and D taking their place in Group G.

Each of the teams carried over their two results against the other two teams from their first stage group, and are set to face the three other teams in their second stage group.

The top two sides from Groups F and G are set to reach the semi-finals.

Favourites and world number one Australia earned a third routine win in Group A, thrashing Fiji 101-32 to become the second side to break the century mark at this year's World Cup after Jamaica against Sri Lanka on Friday (July 28).

Fiji progressed in third place after yesterday's victory against Zimbabwe and are joined in Group F by Tonga.

World number seven side Tonga went through in second place with a 55-46 victory against Zimbabwe.

Jamaica beat hosts South Africa 67-49 in one of the standout ties of the first stage of the Netball World Cup ©Getty Images
Jamaica beat hosts South Africa 67-49 in one of the standout ties of the first stage of the Netball World Cup ©Getty Images

England, ranked third in the world, went through from Group B with three wins from three as they overcame Scotland 62-37.

Malawi sealed second place with an 84-48 triumph over Barbados, with Scotland taking third place for the remaining berth in Group F.

In perhaps the standout clash of the first stage, Commonwealth Games runners-up Jamaica beat hosts South Africa 67-49 for a third win.

An impressive third quarter in which Jamaica triumphed 20-3 proved decisive, but the teams progressed in second and third respectively.

Wales earned their first win of the World Cup 68-56 against Sri Lanka and sealed third place in Group C.

They are joined in Group G by the defending champions New Zealand, who topped Group D with a third win, this time 80-19 against the tournament's lowest-ranked team Singapore.

However, New Zealand's mood was dampened when goal shooter Grace Nweke limped off court in the third quarter with a knock to her knee.

Uganda beat Trinidad and Tobago to second place with a 74-34 victory, but both teams are safely into the next phase.

Second phase preliminary round action is due to start tomorrow and run through to Thursday (August 3).