Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana have climbed seven places to 61st in the latest Fifa world rankings released on Thursday.
South Africa moved up from 68th position in August and share 61st place with Libya, who moved up nine places.
Bafana Bafana are unbeaten in their last four outings, after claiming victories over Burkina Faso, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, before their latest result, a 1-1 draw with Morocco in an international friendly.
Despite the positive movement for coach Gordon Igesund's team, Bafana failed to qualify for next year's World Cup in Brazil and have only next year's African Championship of Nations (Chan) tournament to look forward to.
South Africa remain in 12th position on the African continent, the position they held in the previous rankings.
Ivory Coast remain top of the African standings, and improved their overall world ranking to 17, up two places from 19 in August.
South Africa take on Nigeria, Mozambique, and Mali in group C at the Chan tournament, which may feature only players active in their local leagues.
Nigeria climbed three places to 33rd in the world rankings and remain fourth on the continent, with Mali fifth. Mozambique are ranked 115th in the world and 31st on the continent. – Sapa