South Africa Stun Australia to Claim No. 1 Test Ranking

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-11-01

Australia's reign at the top of Test cricket is over. South Africa's 2-1 series win in Cape Town didn't just secure the trophy—it knocked Australia off the No. 1 perch and shook up the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. For fans, it's a reminder that in Test cricket, fortunes can shift in a single session. ### Australia Slips to Third in WTC Points Table South Africa's victory moved them to second on the WTC table with a points percentage of 71.43, while Australia dropped to third at 69.23. Before the series, Australia sat comfortably at 80 percentage points. Now, they're looking up at not one but two teams. New Zealand leads the pack with 72.22 percentage points, and India sits fourth at 51.52. The top three are separated by a razor-thin margin, meaning every upcoming series could reshuffle the order. ### Bavuma: 'Best Series of My Career' For South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, the win is personal. "That [No.1 ranking] is exceptional," he said. "I think that's obviously been a part of our ambition as a team." He didn't stop there—Bavuma ranked the series above any other he's played, calling it his best Test result yet. > "Every time you get an opportunity to come up against Australia, you savour that. I don't think I've been involved in a better series." – Temba Bavuma That's saying something, considering South Africa are the defending WTC champions, having won the final at Lord's last year. Now they've added the No. 1 Test ranking to their trophy cabinet. ### What's Next for the Top Teams? Australia will have a chance to bounce back on home soil. They host New Zealand in a four-match Test series starting December 9 in Perth. It's a golden opportunity to regain points and climb back up the WTC ladder. South Africa, meanwhile, have a two-week break before hosting Bangladesh for two Tests in November. Their performance there will determine whether they can hold off Australia. New Zealand, the current table-toppers, face India in a two-match series in November and December before traveling to Australia. With the top three teams within a few points of each other, the WTC race is wide open. ### The Bigger Picture This series loss is a wake-up call for Australia. They'll need to regroup quickly, especially with a tough home series against New Zealand looming. For South Africa, it's a statement—they're not just defending champions; they're now the team to beat in Test cricket. And for fans, it's a thrilling reminder that Test cricket's longest format can deliver the most dramatic twists. The next few months promise plenty of action, and the WTC standings could look very different by the time the final rolls around. Stay tuned for more cricket news and updates.