South Africa head coach Heyneke Meyer has hailed the tactical ingenuity of his scrum-half Fourie du Preez after the Springboks' quarter-final victory over Wales.

Du Preez touched down a late try after collecting Duane Vermeulen's offload to give Meyer's side the win.

"I can't take any credit for the try, it was Fourie's idea. Fourie is the most astute player I have ever coached. He is a tactical genius," Meyer told reporters following a game that he admitted could have gone either way.

"He was always the guy organising the team. If you look at all the games South Africa play well, he is always playing. I will always pick him. His desperation to play for the team is amazing.

"He really wants to win. I have known him since he was a youngster and I have known it was the right call to make him captain. The team just followed him. He is a warrior and it showed tonight."

South Africa will play New Zealand in the semi-finals after the All Blacks scored nine tries in a 62-13 victory over France.