WTC standings: New Zealand top, South Africa second after 176-run win over Australia
Synopsis
South Africa's 176-run demolition of Australia at Newlands has redrawn the WTC 2025-27 map: New Zealand leapfrog to the summit at 72.22 PCT, the Proteas sit second at 71.43, and Australia — the former table-toppers — tumble to third. With the top three separated by under three percentage points, the race for the two spots at The Oval final is now a genuine three-way contest.
Key Takeaways
New Zealand lead the WTC 2025-27 standings with a PCT of 72.22 following Australia's defeat.
South Africa climb to second place at 71.43 PCT after a 176-run win over Australia in the final Test at Newlands, Cape Town .
Australia drop to third with 69.23 PCT , having lost the series 1-2 .
Simon Harmer took six wickets and Kagiso Rabada took three as Australia were bowled out for 111 in their second innings.
India move up to fourth with 51.52 PCT after Bangladesh fell to 47.62 PCT following a loss to the West Indies in Dhaka .
The top two teams at the end of the cycle qualify for the WTC Final at The Oval next year.
New Zealand have climbed to the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings, while South Africa have surged to second place following their commanding 176-run victory over Australia in the third and final Test at Newlands, Cape Town. The result has triggered a major reshuffle at the summit of the WTC table, with Australia dropping to third and India moving up to fourth.
How the standings shifted
New Zealand now lead the WTC standings with a points percentage (PCT) of 72.22, edging ahead after Australia's defeat. South Africa follow closely in second place with a PCT of 71.43, up from 66.67 before the series-clinching Cape Town win. Australia, who entered the match as table-toppers, have slid to third with a PCT of 69.23 after losing the series 1-2.
Notably, the Proteas' victory has also seen them dethrone Australia as the number one-ranked Test side in the world — a double triumph from a single result.
South Africa's dominant Cape Town performance
The hosts put in a clinical display at Newlands, bowling Australia out for just 111 in their second innings while defending a target of 288 runs. Simon Harmer led the bowling attack with a haul of six wickets, while Kagiso Rabada contributed three to seal the emphatic win. The result underlines South Africa's growing potency as a home Test side under conditions that heavily favour their pace and spin attack.
India move to fourth after Bangladesh slip
India have risen one place to fourth in the standings with a PCT of 51.52, benefiting from Bangladesh's defeat against the West Indies in Dhaka. Bangladesh had held fourth place entering the Dhaka Test with a PCT of 55.56 — having won three, lost two, and drawn one of their six matches. Following their loss, Bangladesh's PCT has fallen to 47.62, dropping them below India on the table.
India, for their part, have recorded five victories and two draws from 11 matches in the current WTC cycle.
West Indies and Sri Lanka: the lower-table picture
The West Indies' win in Dhaka has also improved their own standing, with their PCT rising from 20.83 to 26.92. They remain eighth on the table but have closed the gap on seventh-placed Sri Lanka, who hold a PCT of 33.33. The developing contest in the lower half of the standings adds another layer of intrigue to the cycle.
The road to The Oval final
With the WTC 2025-27 cycle still in progress, the race for the two qualifying spots for the fourth WTC Final — scheduled at The Oval next year — has become significantly more competitive. The latest results have brought New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia within fractions of each other at the top, meaning every remaining Test series carries outsized consequences for the finalists' berths. For India, the path to the final remains narrow and will depend on strong performances in their remaining cycle matches.
Point of View
South Africa, and Australia — are separated by fewer than three percentage points, making the WTC qualification race as tight as it has ever been at this stage of a cycle. South Africa's rise is particularly notable: they have now dethroned Australia both in the WTC standings and in the ICC Test rankings from a single series, a rare double leverage. For India, the math remains uncomfortable — fifth to fourth is progress, but a PCT of 51.52 leaves them reliant on opponents' results as much as their own. The Oval final is not yet a realistic prospect for India without a near-perfect run in their remaining cycle fixtures.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the WTC 2025-27 standings after the South Africa vs Australia series?
New Zealand lead the WTC 2025-27 standings with a points percentage of 72.22 following Australia's 1-2 series loss to South Africa. South Africa are second at 71.43 PCT, and Australia have dropped to third at 69.23 PCT.
How did South Africa beat Australia in the Cape Town Test?
South Africa bowled Australia out for 111 in their second innings while defending a target of 288 runs, winning by 176 runs. Simon Harmer took six wickets and Kagiso Rabada claimed three in a dominant Proteas bowling performance at Newlands.
Where does India stand in the WTC 2025-27 standings?
India are currently fourth in the WTC standings with a PCT of 51.52, having won five and drawn two from 11 matches. They moved up one place after Bangladesh's defeat to the West Indies in Dhaka dropped Bangladesh's PCT from 55.56 to 47.62.
How do teams qualify for the WTC Final at The Oval?
The top two teams in the WTC 2025-27 standings at the conclusion of the cycle will qualify for the fourth WTC Final, which is scheduled to be played at The Oval next year. The current top three — New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia — are separated by under three percentage points.
What happened to Bangladesh in the WTC standings?
Bangladesh dropped from fourth to below India after losing to the West Indies in Dhaka. Their PCT fell from 55.56 to 47.62, allowing India to move ahead of them into fourth place in the standings.
