England held off South Africa to win Sunday’s decider 53-50 and clinch their three-match series 2-1.
Cheered on by about 6,000 fans in Nottingham, the Roses charged in front early on and managed to stay clear.
The Proteas got close late on but England ensured a triumphant end to a year in which they claimed silver at the Netball World Cup.
“So many of those players hadn’t won a series so it’s really special,” head coach Jess Thirlby told Sky Sports.
England won the opener 54-51 on Tuesday before South Africa, ranked sixth at the World Cup, won 61-59 on Saturday to set up a decider.
“Our intent defensively was better from the [first] whistle,” Thirlby added. “That really set the tone. We knew after [Saturday] that we needed to slow them down.
“They came back and asked questions of us. Today we were much better at answering in those moments.
“More of the same would be nice [in 2024] but we’ve got a big challenge in January.”
England will return to action next year by hosting the Nations Cup against Uganda, New Zealand and World Cup winners Australia.
Thirlby chose to start Funmi Fadoju at goal defence on Sunday, with captain Fran Williams playing at goalkeeper, and they helped to restrict South Africa goal shooter Rolene Streutker, who kept her place after being named player of the match while winning her third cap on Saturday.
The tourists briefly led but England had established a 16-11 advantage by the end of the opening quarter.
South Africa cut the deficit to 29-25 at half-time, with England 42-38 up at the end of the third quarter, and although the Proteas got back within two goals during the closing stages the hosts held on.
Williams, 25, was named player of the match and the series. “I want this young group to feel comfortable winning and in those goal-for-goal games,” she told Sky Sports.
“Being able to learn and build to win under these pressure moments is key for when you get into major tournaments.”
South Africa’s Australian coach Norma Plummer, 79, who is now ending her international coaching career, said: “England have a full-time programme so I’m very proud of this group.
“We ran out of legs a little bit towards the end but that’s to be expected when you’re not playing at this intensity continuously.”
