South Africa are currently fourth but can leapfrog India, England and Australia if they win all five matches of the series.
If the Proteas achieve this series result, then the side will win the ODI Shield as well as USD 175,000 as the top three sides have no ODIs scheduled before the April 1 cut-off date and South Africa's position will be assured.
South Africa have previously won the ODI Shield twice, firstly when it finished as the number-one ranked ODI side in 2008 and then again in 2009.
In contrast, sixth-ranked Pakistan can move to as high as fourth. But for this to happen, they will have to win all five ODIs of the series.
If Pakistan blank out South Africa, then they will jump from 107 ratings points to 114 ratings points, while South Africa will drop 10 ratings points and plummet to 102 ratings points.