Four years after she was left devastated by missing selection to the Games in Glasgow, Van Asch was able to add a Commonwealth title to her three world crowns.

“I don't think it's quite sunk in. It was a pretty exciting game and to get over the line is just unreal,” she said.

Van Asch, 30, joined her world championships-winning women’s four teammates Kelsey Cottrell, Carla Krizanic and Natasha Scott to defeat South Africa's Esme Kruger, Nicolene Neal, Johanna Snyman and Elma Davis 18-16 in a fluctuating contest at Broadbeach Bowls Club.

Trailing early, the Jackaroos powered to a six-shot lead after six ends before reigning Commonwealth champion South Africa claimed four shots on the seventh and claimed the lead on the ninth.

Australia responded by taking three shots on the next end and three more on the 14^th so could even afford to concede four on the last to still claim the win.

“It's fantastic for the sport,” said Van Asch, who is Bowls Tasmania chief executive.

“We jumped out to a little lead but the South Africans were playing well, came back and hit the front. We managed to keep clawing away and had a six-shot lead going into the last end and were just focused on minimising the count as much as possible so we just covered our bases so that we couldn’t lose.”

Born in Wales, Van Asch grew up in Launceston attending St Finn Barr’s School and St Patrick's College.

She won world championships in the pairs in 2012 and triples and fours in 2016 with the same team going on to claim Australia’s first women’s four Commonwealth crown since 1990. “It’s awesome that it was the same four that won the worlds together 18 months ago could do this again,” she said.

“It’s such an amazing feat and something we’re very proud of and quite unique.

“There’s been a lot of motivation for me after missing out on Glasgow so this does make it quite sweet when you work so hard and not only get to a Commonwealth Games but win gold.”

The quartet had previously edged past Malaysia 14-13 in the quarter-final and Canada 10-9 in the semi.

But there was little time to celebrate with Van Asch, Krizanic and Scott beginning their triples campaign about three hours later with a 28-8 victory over Papua New Guinea. The trio are next in action against India at 4pm on Tuesday.