Bafana Bafana climb seven places in latest FIFA World Ranking

On Thursday, FIFA released the latest World Ranking following the October international break, during which South Africa took part in two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Group G rivals Ethiopia.

Bafana Bafana came away with the spoils in both of those encounters by winning 3-1 away from home before recording a narrow 1-0 win at the FNB Stadium in the return leg, leaving Hugo Broos' side in pole position to progress to the next round of qualifying.

=7. Siphiwe Tshabalala, Steven Pienaar, Mbulelo Mabizela, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Dean Furman, Andile Jali, Tokelo Rantie & Teboho Mokoena – 2 goals each

2. Philemon Masinga – 6 goals

=5. Benni McCarthy – 3 goals

=5. Delron Buckley – 3 goals

4. Sibusiso Zuma – 4 goals

1. Shaun Bartlett – 7 goals

3. Bernard Parker – 5 goals

The national team's impressive victories over their East African opponents has since been reflected in the latest World Ranking where South Africa has climbed an impressive seven places to sit 66th in the overall standings.

That puts Bafana Bafana in their highest position in the World Ranking since the start of 2015 when the team reached a high of 52nd in the global charts, while Broos' charges have also now climbed to 12th overall on the African continent.

Meanwhile, Belgium have retained their spot as the world's highest-ranked nation ahead of Brazil, while France have jumped into the top three following their triumph in the UEFA Nations League earlier in October.