South Africa crushed Australia by 176 runs in the third and final Test of the three-match series on Saturday (October 31). In the fixture played at Newlands in Cape Town from October 27 to 31, the Proteas bowled out the Aussies for just 111 in their second innings while chasing a target of 288. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada picked up three wickets for the hosts and spinner Simon Harmer accounted for the dismissals of six Australian batters.
The win in front of their home fans on Saturday not only helped South Africa win the home series with a scoreline of 2-1 but also helped them take the No. 1 position in the ICC Test team rankings.
They ended Australia’s dominance in the ICC Test rankings. The Aussies were at the top for more than two and a half
years, but now the top position belongs to the 2025 World Test Championship winners.
South Africa have 124 rating points to their credit, whereas the Aussies are second with 122 points.
The win in Cape Town also helped South Africa rise to the No. 2 position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table. Meanwhile, after losing their second straight Test against the Proteas, Australia dropped to the No. 3 position.
South Africa have 60 points and 71.43 PCT% to their credit, while Australia have amassed a total of 108 points and 69.23 PCT%.
New Zealand are the new No. 1 team in the WTC 2025-27 points table. The Black Caps have played six Tests so far and, with four wins, one draw and one defeat, have 52 points and 72.22 PCT%.
WTC 2025-27 points table after South Africa’s win over Australia in Cape Town Test
| POSITION | TEAM | MATCHES | WINS | DEFEATS | DRAWS | PENALTY | POINTS | PCT% |
| 1. | New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 72.22 |
| 2. | South Africa | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 71.43 |
| 3. | Australia | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 69.23 |
| 4. | India | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 68 | 51.52 |
| 5. | Bangladesh | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 47.62 |
| 6. | England | 16 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 74 | 38.54 |
| 7. | Sri Lanka | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 33.33 |
| 8. | West Indies | 13 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 42 | 26.92 |
| 9. | Pakistan | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 5 | 4.63 |
Meanwhile, India are now in fourth position with 51.52 PCT%. India jumped one place after Bangladesh suffered an eight-wicket defeat against West Indies in the first Test of their two-match series in Mirpur on Saturday.
Bangladesh are now in fifth position with 47.62 PCT%. They have secured a total of 40 points after playing seven matches in the ongoing cycle.
