South Africa's cast iron will and lock tight defence saw them through against hosts France in Issoire by the slender margin of 14-10.
Both sides entered the third round match unbeaten, France having also taken bonus points from their two previous matches, but Emile N'tamack's men came up against a green brick wall here.
Both sides proceed to the championship semi finals - South Africa as number one seeds and France as number three - but the Boks it is who will possess a clear edge of invincibility as the games enter the knock-out stage.
France started the match in the ascendancy and a Fabien Alexandre break finally broke through some rugged South African defence to put Puyo through for the first score, which Lionel Beauxis converted.
The Springboks were sparked into action and after good work from their pack were awarded a penalty, which fly half Dollie converted, before more good work led to a try for Pietersen and an 8-7 lead.
France hit back through Beauxis but a Dollie penalty just before the break put the Africans in 11-10 up at the break in a match every bit as close as the score suggested.
The second half saw more tension, more lung-busting attack and more stubborn defence.
Neither side was willing to give an inch and when Dollie converted a simple penalty, in the context of the match, it was worth a converted try or more.
Daniel Keegan saw yellow for a high tackle and France sensed their chance with 10 minutes of numerical advantage but still the South African defence stood firm. Wing Pietersen was the next to incur the wrath of the referee and for the last eight minutes France played 14 men.
The French tried and tried and chose not to kick penalties they might have landed, ultimately the wrong decision, but against any other defence they might have expected to prosper. France will learn lessons going into the semis but South Africa still look the team to beat.
Quotes
Sangoni Mxoli, South Africa prop: I'd already played against France and today's match confirmed everything that I was expecting: a very hard and physical game, certainly our toughest yet. We had to play against a very good team and also the supporters. Even if it was close, a win's a win and it's good for morale.
Peter De Villiers, South Africa coach: France are a superb team. In the end we came out on top but the French could have won. I want to congratulate all my players - the defence was absolutely heroic today.
Émile Ntamack, France coach: We really did dominate in the second half and it's only justice that we qualified for the semi finals, but what an organised defence they had!We dominated but they did the simple things well, the little kick over the top for their try for example. The players wanted to score a try in the end but maybe if they'd had a bit more experience they would have kicked the penalties. Australia will now be a very tough match.