Bafana Bafana have tumbled out of the top 50 on the FIFA world rankings while Spain have reclaimed the No.1 spot from the Netherlands.

The South Africans, recently beaten by Niger in an African Nations Cup qualifier. are now ranked 51st, one spot ahead of Scotland and one place behind Iran.

Bafana also dropped to ninth on the African list, losing ground to Cameroon, who improved to eight on the continent and 48 in the world.

Ivory Coast are Africa's top team at 16, followed by Egypt, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Nigeria and Algeria.

World and European champion Spain regained the lead in FIFA’s world rankings after the Netherlands topped the standings for just one month.

   The Dutch were knocked from top spot despite winning two European Championship qualifiers, including an 11-0 victory over San Marino.

   Germany stays third and Uruguay rises to a best-ever fourth.

   Portugal climbs three places to No. 5, while Italy is up one to sixth, swapping places with Brazil.

   England drops four to No. 8 despite also winning two Euro 2012 qualifiers.

   The standings weigh teams’ results over a four-year cycle.

   Japan leads Asian nations at No. 15 and No. 20 Mexico leads CONCACAF nations.

   The United States drops three to No. 31.

Top 20 rankings   

1. Spain (2).

   2. Netherlands (1).

   3. Germany (3).

   4. Uruguay (5).

   5. Portugal (8).

   6. Italy (7).

   7. Brazil (6).

   8. England (4).

   9. Croatia (10).

   10. Argentina (9).

   11. Greece (14).

   12. France (15).

   13. Russia (13).

   14. Chile (11).

   15. Japan (15).

   16. Ivory Coast (15).

   17. Denmark (21).

   18. Switzerland (30).

   19. Australia (22).

   20. Mexico (20