As a result, the Bok Women will face New Zealand in their quarter-final at Sandy Park in Exeter at 14:00 next Saturday afternoon, while France will take on Ireland on Sunday.
The Bok Women entered the last round of pool matches as potential dark horses after two impressive performances against Brazil and, in particular, Italy that seemed to bely their world ranking coming into the tournament.
However, they were given a reality check by the team ranked fourth in the world as the match, which was billed as a pool decider, was effectively over as a contest by half-time as France scored four first-half tries, mixing up their game brilliantly against a SA side that showed wholesale changes from their victory over Italy.
Things were quite evenly poised early on, with France scoring an unconverted try before Byrhandré Dolf landed a penalty goal to make it 5-3.
The French scored a second try but then disaster struck as Chumisa Qawe was sin-binned for a high tackle, which was upgraded to a 20-minute red card.
France added three more tries to their tally in the time South Africa only had 14 players on the field, with their one-on-one tackling not up to scratch as the French found holes in the SA defence through good handling and pace.
The SA Bomb Squad was sent on early in the second half and they made a difference, but the Bok Women couldn't capitalise and instead, France finished with two late tries, but the last say belonged to Nadine Roos, who was rewarded for a superb performance with a sublime individual try.
Scorers:
Springbok Women 10 (3) - Try: Nadine Roos. Conversion: Byrhandré Dolf. Penalty goal: Dolf.
France 57 (24) - Tries: Emilie Boulard (2), Gaby Vernier, Charlotte Escudero, Agathe Gerin, Joanna Grisez (2), Annaelle Deshaye, Alexandra Chambon. Conversions: Lina Queyroi (2), Morgane Bourgeois (4).
Springbok Women captain Babalwa Latsha says her side is determined to back up their strong start at the Women's Rugby World Cup when they face France in their final pool match in Northampton on Sunday.
With a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal berth already secured, Springbok Women's coach Swys de Bruin has made wholesale changes to his side for Sunday's fixture against France.
The Springbok Women are not getting lost in the permutations of the Women's Rugby World Cup quarterfinals: They are preparing to face the best.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg said the Springbok Women are still feeling relief, pride, and joy after their historic win over Italy, but attention now turns to their final Pool D match against France in Northampton.
