The Springboks will end 2017 where they started it - in sixth place in the World Rugby rankings - after falling one place on the back of their 24-22 loss to Wales in Cardiff.
South Africa's fifth loss of 2017 has seen them fall one place to sixth in the latest World Rugby rankings, with Scotland the beneficiaries.
According to World Rugby’s official website, Saturday's victory was worth 1.1 rating points for Wales, but that was not enough to lift them from their position of sixth.
However, what was a near four-point deficit to South Africa before kick-off has been slashed to a little over one point after tries by Scott Williams and debutant Hadleigh Parkes (2).
Top 20 in latest World Rugby standings:
1. New Zealand 93.99
2. England 90.87
3. Ireland 86.39
4. Australia 85.49
5. Scotland 84.11
6. South Africa 83.80
7. Wales 82.08
8. Argentina 78.22
9. France 78.09
10. Fiji 77.93
11. Japan 75.66
12. Georgia 73.46
13. Tonga 71.87
14. Italy 71.25
15. Romania 69.58
16. Samoa 69.03
17. USA 66.87
18. Uruguay 65.63
19. Russia 64.45
20. Spain 61.68
(re News24)
