Van Niekerk scores the opening try (Getty Images).

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Samoa's World Cup adventure came to an abrupt end today as fly-half Derick Hougaard steered South Africa towards a potential quarter-final showdown with New Zealand.

Provided that England see off Uruguay on Sunday, then the Springboks will qualify as Pool C runners-up.

And that should set up an All Blacks clash in Melbourne next weekend.

South African coach Rudolf Straeuli was totally justified through his selection of 20-year-old Hougaard above the more experienced Louis Koen.

Hougaard played like a seasoned campaigner, contributing 21 points with a try, drop-goal, penalty and five conversions. He even got up and dusted himself down from a gruesome Brian Lima tackle midway through the second period.

South Africa had the game wrapped up by half-time, racing 31-3 ahead through tries from Hougaard, flanker Joe van Niekerk, centre Jorrie Muller and number eight Juan Smith.

Samoa offered fleeting glimpses of their trademark adventure, but an early second-half touchdown for lock Opeta Palepoi was as good as it got.

And South Africa had the final say when wing Ashwin Willemse gathered a loose ball and sprinted 50 metres for try number five, and there were further scores for substitute centre Jaque Fourie, full-back Jaco van der Westhuyzen and replacement scrum-half Neil de Kock.

Koen, on for the closing stages, kicked two conversions, his latter effort going over, despite a fan running on, diving and being injured in the process.

The Springboks' forward power and defensive organisation was too much, committing Samoa to a flight home instead of the quarter-final status their display against England last Sunday promised.

Samoa brought much to the World Cup party, but this was a game too far. The rapturous farewell they received though, from a 48,500 Suncorp Stadium crowd at full-time, said everything.

The South Sea Islanders were opened up early. Scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen broke blind, and there was no escape for Samoa as he handed the scoring pass to supporting openside van Niekerk.

Samoa needed to settle quickly, and fly-half Earl Va'a calmed their nerves with an angled fourth-minute penalty.

But South Africa were soon back on the front-foot, and after their forwards laid back quality ball, Hougaard calmly dropped a 40m goal.

It was impressive rugby by the Springboks, as Samoa were unable to impose anything like the early authority they managed against England.

And it got worse for Semo Sititi's men, as South Africa added their second try on 12 minutes.

Van Niekerk played a decisive role in the build-up, and when possession was worked wide from Hougaard, Muller crashed over for a touchdown that Hougaard converted.

With 14 minutes of the first-half remaining, Samoa were effectively sunk without trace.

They attempted a bold counter-attack, but possession was spilled and Hougaard hacked on to Samoa's line.

He got enough downward pressure on the ball for referee White to award the try on video official Joel Dume's recommendation, and amid boos from a disbelieving crowd, Hougaard slotted the conversion for a convincing 24-3 advantage.

Van Niekerk almost collected his team's fourth try following a powerful run deep into Samoan territory, but the bonus point was duly collected just before half-time.

Hooker Smit made a clever break, and supporting number eight Smith had a simple unopposed run to the line. Hougaard's conversion gave him 16 points, and completed a one-sided opening period.

Samoa's best spell came during the third quarter when Palepoi scored, yet Willemse emphasised a gulf between the sides with his breakaway effort that heralded a storming Springboks finish.