The South Africans tend to bring a level of physicality the Mark Hager-coached Kiwis can relate to, whereas the women from the subcontinent bring dazzling skills.
"I think we'll get better getting either of the two teams out here."
The 23-year-old defender said the Black Sticks had played both teams at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last year but had struggled a little bit more against the South Africans.
"They are very physical and fast so they sort of match up in those areas with our strength," Charlton said, adding they were going to play against the South Africans at the Rio Olympic Games next year so it was probably better to have cross sticks with them in Hastings.
India used "upright reverse" skills that few teams employed.
Midfielder/striker Petrea Webster felt enticing world champions The Netherlands would make a difference but, ultimately, the onus was on the New Zealanders to lift their game.
Having finished fourth last year in the inaugural tourney, Webster said consistency was imperative for them this year.
"We were very inconsistent last year so fourth is not a good place for us," the 26-year-old Aucklander said, after the La Leonas (The Lionessess) lifted the Amistad (Friendship) Cup following a 3-0 victory over Australia in the final. The Kiwis had succumbed 3-2 to China in the 3rd-4th playoffs.
Webster said the Kiwis were on an "uphill curve" so it was looking good.
"We love coming to Hawke's Bay and we get good support from them so we don't want to be letting them down."
That, she said, was tantamount to the Black Sticks piling immense pressure on themselves to perform on the foundation of pride.
They had learned a lot from the losses to Argentina (3-2) and Australia (4-2) last year.
"We've grown as a team and got older. We've also lost a bit of experience so in turn it makes more people step up," she said, adding they would love to have most-capped Black Stick Emily Naylor (resting), of Kereru, but it also was an a chance for someone else to shine.
"That makes us stronger all over because everyone is needed and reliable."
Webster was keen to absorb the pressure in finding the net.
"Visualisation", she said, was vital in scoring goals but so was quality training in mastering the basics.
"Aggression is part of my game too, so I go low and dive for the ball and am desperate for a goal."
Webster and Rosie Keddell, also of Tauranga, scored a goal each in the playoff against China last year.
Keddell said at the Champions Trophy in Mendoza late last year, the Sticks had succeeded in ruffling the feathers of the Dutch.
"We were really close in those games and we played really well," the 20-year-old midfielder said of the 2-1 loss.
"I think the Dutch were a little worried about us whereas we haven't been a big threat for them [previously]."
Keddell felt luring more seeded teams to Hastings would eventually convince the Dutch to join the fray.
She enjoys cranking up the engine in the midfield when they become mediators between defenders and strikers.
"We are pretty important, I guess, but no more than any other position on the field."
Keddell, who is in her third year in the squad and playing alongside better teammates, said that interaction had rubbed off on her.
"Playing more and more will put us in situations where we will win more of those closer games."
The games in Hastings, no doubt, will also serve as an ideal progress report moving towards Rio.
