Cape Town - Following their 2-1 home Test series loss to England, the Proteas have slipped to No 3 on the official ICC Test rankings.
The four-Test series concluded on Tuesday with South Africa winning the final Test in Centurion by 280 runs.
However, it was not enough to see them slip from No 1 to No 3 on the rankings.
India and Australia have moved ahead of South Africa in the pecking order, with England at No 5.
The series defeat also ensured that the Proteas cannot finish the season as the No 1-ranked Test team in the ICC Test Championship.
The team on top of the standings at the April 1 cut-off date wins the ICC Test Championship mace - and $1m (R16.5m).
Australia now have an excellent chance to finish as the No 1-ranked Test side at the April 1 cut-off date.
In the final Test series before action shifts to the ICC World Twenty20 India, Australia travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series, and if they win the series, then they will win the ICC Test Championship mace.
South Africa's next Test assignment is a two-Test home series against New Zealand.
ICC Test rankings: