South Africa's Test series victory over Australia, sealed in Cape Town, has pushed Australia out of the top two of the World Test Championship table for the first time in the 2025-27 cycle. According to Cricbuzz, New Zealand have moved to the top of the standings on the back of Australia's defeat, while South Africa climbed to second place with a points percentage (PCT) of 71.43. The result, reported by the ICC as a series win for the hosts, has reshaped the race for next year's final at the Oval.
Why it matters
The Cape Town result has widened the gap between the leading three sides and the rest of the field, Cricbuzz reports. A PCT of 65 is the figure teams are chasing, with that mark expected to be enough to confirm a top-two finish and a place in the final. With 10 series still to be played among nine teams in this cycle, no side has yet secured its spot, so every remaining match carries weight.
Under the scoring system for this cycle, a win is worth 12 points, a draw 4 and a tie 6, with the leaderboard ordered by points percentage rather than raw points.
New Zealand at the summit with work still to do
New Zealand sit top with a PCT of 72.22 but have 10 Tests left to play in the cycle, meaning their position is far from settled. Cricbuzz notes that of the 120 points still available to them, six wins would leave them on 64.6, a figure that may fall short. Seven victories alongside three defeats would lift them to 70.83 per cent, which would give them a strong claim on a top-two finish.
Four of their remaining fixtures are at home, against India and Sri Lanka, and those matches are likely to decide whether New Zealand reach a second WTC final. Their other commitments are two home Tests against Bangladesh and three at home to England, plus two away Tests in Sri Lanka.
South Africa in control after Cape Town
South Africa's series win has placed them in a commanding position. According to Cricbuzz, Temba Bavuma's side have seven games left in the cycle, five of them on home soil. Clean sweeps of both Bangladesh and England would carry them beyond 71.42 per cent, which the report describes as sufficient for a place in the final. Four wins would leave them on 64.28, a total that may not be enough.
Their remaining schedule comprises two home Tests against Bangladesh, three home Tests against England and two away Tests in Sri Lanka.
Australia's position slips but fate stays in their hands
Before touring South Africa, Australia led the table on 80 per cent, having won eight and lost two of ten matches. Two straight defeats have now dropped them out of the top two for the first time this cycle. Cricbuzz reports that they currently hold a PCT of 69.23 and retain control of their own destiny, though the road ahead is difficult, with home Tests against New Zealand and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India in early 2027 to come.
Australia need at least six wins from their nine remaining Tests to reach 67.2 per cent. A return of four wins, a couple of draws and a split of other results would, according to the report, likely be enough to keep them in the top two. Their remaining fixtures are two home Tests against India, four away Tests in Australia's schedule as listed, two home Tests against Sri Lanka and two away Tests against Pakistan.
India and Bangladesh face narrow paths
India sit fourth on 51.52 per cent following their draw in Colombo. Winning all seven of their remaining Tests would take them to 70.37 per cent, while six wins would bring them to 65. Five wins plus a draw would leave them dependent on results elsewhere. Cricbuzz notes that a 0-2 loss in New Zealand followed by a 5-0 home sweep of Australia would leave India on 59.26 per cent, which may not be sufficient.
Bangladesh, beaten by West Indies in Dhaka, are fifth on 47.62 per cent. They must win all five of their remaining matches to pass the 65 per cent mark, and a single further defeat would leave them on 61.11, short of what is needed. Their fixtures are two home Tests against South Africa, three home Tests against England and two away Tests in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka keep their hopes alive
Sri Lanka hold a PCT of 33.33 from six matches, but a draw against India on home soil has kept their final ambitions intact. With six Tests remaining, six wins would take them to 66.67 per cent, a total that Cricbuzz suggests could be enough if other results fall their way. Their run-in includes two home Tests against India, four away Tests in Australia, two home Tests against New Zealand and two away Tests against Pakistan.
What to watch
The next set of results will show whether New Zealand can hold the top spot through a heavy remaining schedule and whether Australia can recover their footing before the home series against New Zealand and India.
