Cape Town - The Proteas have closed in on India for the number-one spot in the ICC Test team rankings.
South Africa reduced the gap to India by six points, according to the ICC's website.
India has retained its number-one ranking on the ICC Test team rankings following the annual update in which series results from 2013/14 are no longer included and outcomes from the 2015/16 series are weighted at 50 percent.
The Proteas now has the table-toppers firmly within its sights after vaulting from 109 points to 117 points - thanks to series victories against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
This jump means the pre-update gap of 13 points has now been trimmed to just six points.
While India and South Africa have made upward movements, Australia, England and Pakistan have headed in the opposite direction.
Australia has retained its third place but has plummeted to 100 points, England stays in fourth, whereas Pakistan has dropped behind New Zealand in sixth place.
Faf du Plessis' charges will be in action only in July when they take on England in a four-Test series, which begins at Lord's from July 6-10.
ICC Test team rankings:
1. India - 123 (+1)
2. South Africa - 117 (+8)
3. Australia - 100 (-8)
4. England - 99 (-2)
5. New Zealand - 97 (+1)
6. Pakistan - 93 (-4)
7. Sri Lanka - 91 (+1)
8. West Indies - 75 (+5)
9. Bangladesh - 69 (+3)
10. Zimbabwe - 0 (-5)