London: Vernon Philander struck twice with the second new ball to give SA a historic victory at Lord's and the No.1 Test ranking. Prior's counter-attacking half century went in vain.

England lost the final Test, the series and their number one ranking to South Africa despite a valiant final-day run-chase at Lord's.

Set 346 to win, the hosts threatened to pull off a remarkable victory thanks to Jonny Bairstow (54), Jonathan Trott (63) and Matt Prior (73).

But Vernon Philander (5-30) returned to take two wickets in two balls and seal a 51-run triumph for the Proteas.

South Africa take over from England at the top of the Test rankings.

South Africa's Hashim Amla and England' Matt Prior declared Man of the Series and Vernon Philander is named Man of the Match.

Brief scores
South Africa 309 (Philander 61, Duminy 61, Finn 4-75) and 351 (Amla 121, Finn 4-60)
England 315 (Bairstow 95, Bell 58, Morkel 4-80, Steyn 4-94) and 294 (Prior 73, Trott 63, Bairstow 54, Philander 5-30)
Result South Africa won by 51 runs
MOM Vernon Philander (South Africa)
Players of the series Hashim Amla (South Africa) and Matt Prior (England)