The Springbok Women had previously never made it out of the pool stage of a Rugby World Cup, but that changed after they were able to beat Brazil in their opening game of the tournament and then follow it up with an all-important Pool D victory against Italy in York.
That means Swys de Bruin's side booked a spot in the knockouts desptite losing to France in the final game of the pool stage.
The Springbok Women will face the Black Ferns in the quarter-finals at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday, with the winner facing whichever team emerges from the quarter-final between Canada and Australia.
Sunday, 24 August: South Africa 66-6 Brazil (Franklin's Gardens, Northampton)
Sunday, 31 August: South Africa 29-24 Italy (York Community Stadium, York)
Sunday, 7 September: South Africa 10-57 France (Franklin's Gardens, Northampton)
Saturday, 13 September: South Africa v New Zealand (Sandy Park, Exeter)