Cape Town - Bafana Bafana have moved up three places in the latest rankings released by FIFA.
Meanwhile, Belgium will finish the year in top spot with 2014 Soccer World Cup champions, Germany, dropping two places to fourth position.
Ivory Coast are now ranked first in Africa replacing Algeria with the latter dropping to second spot.
Shakes Mashaba's charges are now ranked 16th in Africa.
World Top 10:
1. Belgium
2. Argentina
3. Spain
4. Germany
5. Chile
6. Brazil
7. Portugal
8. Colombia
9. England
10. Austria
72. South Africa
Africa Top 10:
1. Ivory Coast
2. Algeria
3. Ghana
4. Cape Verde
5. Tunisia
6. Senegal
7. Congo
8. Guinea
9. Egypt
10. Cameroon
Also:
16. South Africa