WTC Standings: South Africa Push Australia Out of Top Two After Cape Town Triumph
South Africa have moved into the top two of the WTC 2025-27 standings after beating Australia by 176 runs at Newlands to win the series 2-1. Their PCT rose to 71.43, pushing Australia (69.23) down to third, while New Zealand lead on 72.22. Here is the updated points table and what NZ, SA, Australia and India need to reach the final.
South Africa's series-clinching victory over Australia at Newlands has shaken up the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings. The Proteas beat Australia by 176 runs in the third and final Test in Cape Town to win the series 2-1, and the result lifted them into second place on the table, pushing Australia down to third.
South Africa's points percentage (PCT) climbed from 66.67 to 71.43, while Australia, who arrived in Cape Town at the top of the standings with 75.00, slipped to 69.23. New Zealand now lead the table with a PCT of 72.22, setting up a tight three-way race for the two places in the WTC final, which will be played in England in June 2027.
How South Africa Turned the Cape Town Test Around
The deciding Test swung back and forth before South Africa took complete control on the final day. After the hosts were bowled out for 329 in their first innings, with Mitchell Starc claiming six wickets, Australia replied strongly. Josh Inglis struck a century, and half-centuries from Alex Carey, Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw gave the visitors a first-innings lead of 100 runs.
South Africa responded with a superb recovery in their second innings. Ryan Rickelton, batting at No. 6, scored 101, and Wiaan Mulder, at No. 7, made 115. The pair put on 154 runs together, turning a difficult position into a commanding one and leaving Australia with a target of 288.
Australia's chase collapsed quickly. Kagiso Rabada removed Matt Renshaw for a duck, Marnus Labuschagne for 4 and Travis Head for 14 in an early burst, and off-spinner Simon Harmer did the rest. Australia were 42/6 at lunch and soon 60/7 when Starc fell for a 25-ball duck. They were eventually bowled out for 111.
Harmer finished with career-best figures of 6/16 in the second innings and 10/120 in the match, earning the Player of the Match award. Rabada ended with 3/39 and also reached the milestone of 350 Test wickets.
A Series Win That Also Brings the No. 1 Ranking
The Cape Town victory completed a strong comeback for Temba Bavuma's side. Australia had won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs, but South Africa levelled the series in Gqeberha with a win by an innings and 31 runs before sealing it at Newlands.
The series win also carried extra reward. South Africa moved past Australia to claim the No. 1 position in the ICC men's Test team rankings, while also strengthening their position in the race for a second successive WTC final appearance.
WTC 2025-27 Points Table After the Cape Town Test
| Pos | Team | M | W | L | D | Pts | 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 |
England, West Indies and Pakistan have all had points deducted for slow over-rates during the cycle, which has affected their totals.
In the WTC, a win earns 12 points, a draw 4 and a tie 6. The PCT is the share of available points a team has won, and the two teams with the highest PCT at the end of the cycle qualify for the final.
New Zealand: In Charge, but a Tough Road Ahead
New Zealand sit at the top with 52 points from six Tests, but they have played fewer matches than most of their rivals and still have 10 Tests to go. Their remaining assignments are two home Tests against India, four away Tests in Australia, two home Tests against Sri Lanka and two away Tests in Pakistan.
If New Zealand win seven of those 10 matches, their PCT would be 70.83, which should put them in a very strong position to qualify. Six wins would leave them on 64.58, a figure that could still be enough but would make them dependent on results elsewhere. Winning all 10 would take them to 89.58.
The four-Test series in Australia is likely to be the defining part of their campaign, as it is both a tough away assignment and a direct contest with one of their main rivals for a place in the final.
South Africa: Home Advantage Works in Their Favour
South Africa now have 60 points from seven Tests and seven matches remaining. Their remaining fixtures are two home Tests against Bangladesh, three home Tests against England and two away Tests in Sri Lanka.
With five of the seven matches at home, the defending champions are well placed. Five more wins would keep their PCT at 71.43, which would almost certainly be enough for a place in the final. Four wins would leave them on 64.29, which may still be competitive but would not guarantee qualification. If they win all seven, they would finish on 85.71.
The away series in Sri Lanka could prove the trickiest part of their remaining schedule, especially given how much spin is likely to be a factor in those conditions.
Australia: Big Challenges in the Final Stretch
Despite slipping to third, Australia have accumulated the most points of any team, with 108 from 13 Tests. However, their PCT is now 69.23, and their remaining schedule is demanding. They have nine Tests left: four at home against New Zealand and five away in India.
If Australia win six of those nine Tests, they would finish on 68.18. Five wins would take them to 63.64, which could leave them short depending on other results, while seven wins would lift them to 72.73. Winning all nine would give them a PCT of 81.82.
The home series against New Zealand will be crucial, because victories there would not only add to Australia's tally but also slow down one of their direct competitors. The five-Test tour of India, meanwhile, will be one of the toughest challenges in the entire cycle.
India: Little Margin for Error
India are fourth with 68 points from 11 Tests and a PCT of 51.52, after a 0-2 home series defeat to South Africa damaged their campaign. They have seven Tests remaining: two away in New Zealand, starting on November 19, and five at home against Australia.
If India win all seven, they would finish on 70.37 and be in contention for a place in the final. Six wins would give them 64.81, which would likely leave them depending on other results. If they lose both Tests in New Zealand but then beat Australia 5-0 at home, they would end on 59.26, which is unlikely to be enough.
That means the upcoming series in New Zealand is close to a must-win for India. Even a strong result there would leave them needing a dominant home series against Australia.
The Rest of the Table
Bangladesh are fifth with a PCT of 47.62 and remain an outside chance if they can produce strong results in their remaining matches. England, in sixth on 38.54, have been hurt by inconsistent results and over-rate penalties, which makes qualification very difficult for them.
Sri Lanka, on 33.33, have played only six Tests and still have matches to come, but they would need an exceptional run to challenge the leading teams. West Indies and Pakistan are effectively out of contention after poor results and points deductions.
What Comes Next
The next major moment in the race will be the two-Test series between New Zealand and India, which starts on November 19. A strong result for New Zealand would strengthen their grip on the top spot, while India need wins to keep their hopes alive.
Australia's home series against New Zealand and their five-Test tour of India will also shape the final standings, while South Africa will look to make the most of their home advantage against Bangladesh and England. With three teams separated by less than three percentage points at the top, the race to the WTC final is set to go down to the wire.