World Test Championship – Proteas dethrone Australia with series win

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 49 minutes ago

Simon Lewis 49 minutes ago

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Australia knocked off top spot on WTC table after 176-run loss to the Proteas.
Australia have slipped to third place on the rankings after their 2-1 series defeat.
Reigning champions South Africa are up to second place.

South Africa beat Australia 2-1 in their October Test series (Getty Images).

Proteas knock Australia off Test summit

Proteas knock Australia off Test summit
2025-27 World Test Championship standings
Rabada and Harmer destroy Australia
World champions back in contention
ICC Test Team Rankings

South Africa's remarkable series victory over Australia has transformed the World Test Championship standings, sending the Proteas to second place and knocking Australia off the top. South Africa completed a memorable 2-1 series victory over Australia at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday, October 31, winning the deciding third Test by 176 runs.

The result pushed Australia from first to third in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with New Zealand taking over at the summit and South Africa moving into second place. The Proteas also claimed the No. 1 position in the separate ICC Test team rankings, overtaking Australia for the first time since January 2016.

2025-27 World Test Championship standings

Pos	Team	P	W	L	D	Points	PCT
1	New Zealand	6	4	1	1	52	72.22%
2	South Africa	7	5	2	0	60	71.43%
3	Australia	13	9	4	0	108	69.23%
4	India	11	5	4	2	68	51.52%
5	Bangladesh	7	3	3	1	40	47.62%
6	England	16	7	8	1	74	38.54%
7	Sri Lanka	6	1	2	3	24	33.33%
8	West Indies	13	3	8	2	42	26.92%
9	Pakistan	9	2	7	0	5	4.63%

Rabada and Harmer destroy Australia

Australia began the final day chasing 288 for victory but were dismissed for just 111 as Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer produced a devastating bowling display. Rabada ripped through the top order to claim figures of 3/39, while Harmer finished with career-best figures of 6/16.

Earlier, South Africa had recovered from conceding a 100-run first-innings deficit thanks to centuries from Ryan Rickelton (101) and Wiaan Mulder (115) that powered the hosts to a second innings score of 387.

The victory completed a remarkable turnaround after Australia dominated the opening Test in Durban, winning by 214 runs. South Africa responded with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha before completing the comeback in Cape Town.

World champions back in contention

The reigning WTC champions now have 60 points from seven matches, giving them a points percentage of 71.43%. New Zealand lead with 72.22%, while Australia's four defeats in 13 matches have reduced their percentage to 69.23%.

With only the top two teams qualifying for the 2027 WTC final at The Oval, the result has significantly strengthened South Africa's prospects of making the final for the chance to defend their title.

ICC Test Team Rankings

POS	TEAM	Matches	PTS	Rating
11	South Africa	23	2860	124
21	Australia	31	3787	122
3	New Zealand	22	2336	106
4	India	29	3042	105
5	England	36	3658	102
6	Bangladesh	25	1916	77
7	Sri Lanka	19	1434	75
8	West Indies	27	2008	74
9	Pakistan	23	1623	71
10	Zimbabwe	13	217	17

Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

You can follow more from Simon at Muckrack, X and LinkedIn.