The Proteas remained in third position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship table when the latest list was released today.
However, with second-placed India certain to drop due to recent poor performances, the ICC said South Africa and England would be left in a two-horse race for the top spot, and the annual prize money, at the April 1 cut-off date.
The Proteas would need to defeat New Zealand 3-0 on their tour Down Under and would also need other results to go their way.
“England will give South Africa a window of opportunity to top the table if it loses to Pakistan by 2-0 or more,” the ICC said in a statement.
“In the scenario of England losing 2-0 and South Africa winning 3-0, both sides will be locked on 119 ratings points, but South Africa will be ranked above England by one 10th of a decimal point.”
The ICC said the side that finished second in the Test Championship table on the cut-off date would receive US$75,000 (about R610 000).