South Africa thus slipped to third on the Reliance ICC Test Championship table following its drawn home series against Australia.
The Proteas were ranked second but the 1-1 series result against the lower ranked Australia meant it lost one ratings point to 116 and fell below India, who are at 117 rating points.
England held on to the No. One spot, a good eight points ahead of India at 125 rating points.
Australia's series-saving two-wicket victory in Johannesburg has earned it a point and it now sits 11 ratings points behind South Africa, in fourth place.
Reliance ICC Test Championship
1. England 125
2. India 117
3. South Africa 116
4. Australia 105
5. Sri Lanka 99
6. Pakistan 98
7. West Indies 88
8. New Zealand 79
9. Bangladesh 9
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