The Ethiopians join Algeria, Egypt, the Ivory Coast and Tunisia through to the third and final phase of the African preliminaries.
Five places are yet to be decided with the last cycle of Round 2 group matches remaining.
The 10 group winners from Round 2 of qualifying face two-legged playoff ties in October and November which will ultimately decide the five African representatives for next June's World Cup finals.
Ethiopia ensured an unassailable five point lead in Group A as they came from behind to beat South Africa 2-1 in Addis Ababa and continue a fairytale run that saw them compete at the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier this year for the first time in more than three decades.
Egypt kept up the only 100 percent record in the African qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Mozambique to ensure top place in Group G while Yaya Toure scored twice as the Ivory Coast won away in Tanzania to ensure top spot in Group C.
A 1-1 draw away for Tunisia in Equatorial Guinea means they cannot be caught in Group B.
Algeria beat Rwanda earlier on Sunday but their progress was only secured when Mali were held at home by Benin later on in the day.
Ethiopia were behind to a 33rd minute goal from Bernard Parker as South Africa went in search of the away win to resurrect their World Cup chances after a stuttering qualifying campaign.
But poor defence just before half-time allowed Getaneh Kebede to equalise and then Parker conspired to head an Ethiopian free-kick into his own goal in the 70th minute for an ignominious end to the Bafana Bafana's challenge.
A fourth goal in two games from Swiss based winger Mohamed Salah saw Egypt win 1-0 in Maputo over Mozambique but they wasted a myriad of late chances to easily treble their lead.
PERFECT RECORD
Egypt have won all five group games - the only side with a perfect record - as they seek their first World Cup appearance since 1990.
Tanzania shocked Ivory Coast with an early goal in Dar Es Salaam but Toure led the fight back with two goals from the penalty spot for a 4-2 victory.
An Oussama Darragi penalty in the second half in Malabo ensured the one point Tunisia needed to also progress as they kept up their unbeaten run in Group B.
Algeria top Group H after Saphir Taider's goal gave them a 1-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali and Mali's chances of catching them evaporated with a 2-2 draw home to Benin.
Sunday's 10 qualifying matches across the continent also allowed Ghana and Senegal to stay in the hunt of places in the final round of African qualifying.
Christian Atsu and Asamoah Gyan scored as Ghana beat Lesotho 2-0 in Maseru to go above Zambia in the Group D standings. Ghana take a one point lead into their final match in September when they host the Zambians, who must win away to progress.
Senegal beat Liberia away courtesy
