The Proteas have dropped two places to fifth place on the latest T20 team rankings, following the ICC’s annual update. 

Despite their victory against the No 1 ranked team, New Zealand, in a once-off T20 match in February, they still managed to concede six points and slip down the rankings.

This concession of points can be attributed in large part to the 2-1 series defeat that the Proteas suffered against Sri Lanka in January this year.

In spite of the drop in rankings, South Africa remain one place above Australia.

New Zealand, meanwhile, continues to lead the way ahead of England, who improved their ranking by three positions to sit three points behind the Black Caps.

Australia and the next nine highest-ranked nations will receive automatic qualification to the next T20 World Cup to be held in Australia in 2020.

ICC T20I Team rankings:

1. New Zealand 125
2. England 121
3. Pakistan 121
4. India 118
5. South Africa 111 
6. Australia 110
7. West Indies 109
8. Sri Lanka 95
9. Afghanistan 90
10. Bangladesh 78
11. Scotland 67
12. Zimbabwe 65
13. UAE 52
14. Netherlands 49
15. Hong Kong 46
16. PNG 39
17. Oman 38
18. Ireland 36

Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images