South Africa defeated Australia by 176 runs in the third and final Test on Saturday (Oct 31) to win the three-match series 2-1. Playing at Newlands in Cape Town, the hosts bowled out Australia for just 111 in their second innings while defending a target of 288 runs. Kagiso Rabada claimed three wickets, while spinner Simon Harmer picked up six to seal a convincing victory for the Proteas.&nbsp;The win also helped South Africa end Australia’s long reign at the top of the ICC Test team rankings. Australia had held the No. 1 position for more than two and a half years, but the 2025 World Test Championship winners have now taken over the top spot.&nbsp;South Africa now have 124 rating points, while Australia have slipped to second place with 122 points.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-rogers-palmer-goals-seal-chelsea-s-2-0-win-over-manchester-united-1793466699824">Premier League: Rogers, Palmer goals seal Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Manchester United</a>&nbsp;The Cape Town victory also lifted South Africa to second place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings. They have 60 points and a points percentage (PCT) of 71.43.&nbsp;&nbsp;Australia, meanwhile, have dropped to third place with 108 points and a PCT of 69.23 after suffering their second consecutive Test defeat against the Proteas.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sa-vs-aus-3rd-test-south-africa-defeat-australia-by-176-runs-clinch-test-series-2-1-1793456183469">South Africa defeat Australia by 176 runs, clinch Test series 2-1</a>&nbsp;New Zealand currently lead the WTC standings with 52 points and a PCT of 72.22. The Black Caps have played six matches, winning four, drawing one and losing one.&nbsp;India are placed fourth with a PCT of 51.52 after moving up one position, following their rise after Bangladesh lost the first Test of their two-match series against West Indies by eight wickets in Mirpur on Saturday.&nbsp;Bangladesh have slipped to fifth place with 40 points and a PCT of 47.62 from seven matches.<h3>WTC 2025-27 points table</h3>

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Position</td><td>Team</td><td>M</td><td>W</td><td>L</td><td>Draws</td><td>Penalty</td><td>PTS</td><td>PCT%</td></tr><tr><td>1.</td><td>New Zealand</td><td>6</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>52</td><td>72.22</td></tr><tr><td>2.</td><td>South Africa</td><td>7</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>60</td><td>71.43</td></tr><tr><td>3.</td><td>Australia</td><td>13</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>108</td><td>69.23</td></tr><tr><td>4.</td><td>India</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>68</td><td>51.52</td></tr><tr><td>5.</td><td>Bangladesh</td><td>7</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>40</td><td>47.62</td></tr><tr><td>6.</td><td>England</td><td>16</td><td>7</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>14</td><td>74</td><td>38.54</td></tr><tr><td>7.</td><td>Sri Lanka</td><td>6</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>24</td><td>33.33</td></tr><tr><td>8.</td><td>West Indies</td><td>13</td><td>3</td><td>8</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>42</td><td>26.92</td></tr><tr><td>9.</td><td>Pakistan</td><td>9</td><td>2</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>19</td><td>5</td><td>4.63</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

South Africa have moved to the top of the Test rankings with 124 rating points after winning the Cape Town Test, while Australia have slipped to second place with 122 points.

South Africa defeated Australia by 176 runs in the third and final Test on Saturday (Oct 31) to win the three-match series 2-1. Playing at Newlands in Cape Town, the hosts bowled out Australia for just 111 in their second innings while defending a target of 288 runs. Kagiso Rabada claimed three wickets, while spinner Simon Harmer picked up six to seal a convincing victory for the Proteas. The win also helped South Africa end Australia’s long reign at the top of the ICC Test team rankings. Australia had held the No. 1 position for more than two and a half years, but the 2025 World Test Championship winners have now taken over the top spot. South Africa now have 124 rating points, while Australia have slipped to second place with 122 points. Also Read - Premier League: Rogers, Palmer goals seal Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Manchester United The Cape Town victory also lifted South Africa to second place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings. They have 60 points and a points percentage (PCT) of 71.43. Australia, meanwhile, have dropped to third place with 108 points and a PCT of 69.23 after suffering their second consecutive Test defeat against the Proteas. Also Read - South Africa defeat Australia by 176 runs, clinch Test series 2-1 New Zealand currently lead the WTC standings with 52 points and a PCT of 72.22. The Black Caps have played six matches, winning four, drawing one and losing one. India are placed fourth with a PCT of 51.52 after moving up one position, following their rise after Bangladesh lost the first Test of their two-match series against West Indies by eight wickets in Mirpur on Saturday. Bangladesh have slipped to fifth place with 40 points and a PCT of 47.62 from seven matches. WTC 2025-27 points table

South Africa have moved to the top of the Test rankings with 124 rating points after winning the Cape Town Test, while Australia have slipped to second place with 122 points.

South Africa dethrone Australia, claim no. 1 spot in Test rankings

South Africa will not rush ace seamer Kagiso Rabada’s return to the Test side. Batting coach Ashwell Prince said the selectors and management will decide on his participation in the series opener against Australia ‘as late as possible’. Rabada hasn’t played any cricket since IPL 2026, which ended in May, and later suffered a hamstring injury during winter training, ruling him out of the three-match ODI series last month. The right-arm pacer was earlier picked in the 18-man preliminary squad for the three Tests, and featured in a two-day intra-squad game on Sunday and Monday.&nbsp;"He (Rabada) came through quite nicely and bowled really well," Prince said in Durban, where the series gets underway on Friday (Oct 9). "He'll continue to be involved in training over the next few days leading up to the match."&nbsp;Although South Africa had earlier planned to pick a final 15 for the Test series, they ultimately retained the expanded squad to keep additional fast-bowling options on hand.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sourav-ganguly-takes-over-as-delhi-capitals-coach-in-exciting-responsibility-1791283259967">Sourav Ganguly takes over as Delhi Capitals coach in ‘exciting responsibility’</a>&nbsp;"From the bowler's point of view, domestically there's T20 cricket going on at the moment, so we feel that they'll be better served here, where they will bowl more red balls in training," Prince said. “And if they're not in the Test lineup, then they can continue bowling during the Test match in the nets, just to get the loads up.”<h2>Lack of Red-Ball Cricket Makes Rabada’s Case Trickier</h2>Kagiso Rabada hasn’t played any Test cricket since touring Pakistan in October last year, later missing the two-Test away series against India with a rib injury. He also hasn’t played any first-class cricket in the meantime. All indications suggest that South Africa would want him 100% ready before unleashing him in the Durban Test against the mighty Aussies.&nbsp;"Fair to say that he's obviously not going to be at 100% straight away, but he is looking good," Prince said. "He will train with the squad for the rest of the week, and we will leave a call to be made as late as possible."&nbsp;For the first time in eight years, Australia has toured South Africa for a Test series, having last toured in 2018, when the infamous Sandpapergate scandal occurred. The two teams will also meet for the first time in Tests since their 2025 WTC Final face-off, where the Proteas stood tall, winning their first ICC title since 1998.&nbsp;South Africa are currently second on the 2025-2027 WTC points table, with 10 Tests to play in the ongoing cycle, including eight at home between now and January 2027 and two away in Sri Lanka.

South Africa will make a late call on Kagiso Rabada's fitness for the 1st Test against Australia in Durban as the pacer completes his injury recovery.

South Africa will not rush ace seamer Kagiso Rabada’s return to the Test side. Batting coach Ashwell Prince said the selectors and management will decide on his participation in the series opener against Australia ‘as late as possible’. Rabada hasn’t played any cricket since IPL 2026, which ended in May, and later suffered a hamstring injury during winter training, ruling him out of the three-match ODI series last month. The right-arm pacer was earlier picked in the 18-man preliminary squad for the three Tests, and featured in a two-day intra-squad game on Sunday and Monday. "He (Rabada) came through quite nicely and bowled really well," Prince said in Durban, where the series gets underway on Friday (Oct 9). "He'll continue to be involved in training over the next few days leading up to the match." Although South Africa had earlier planned to pick a final 15 for the Test series, they ultimately retained the expanded squad to keep additional fast-bowling options on hand. Also read| Sourav Ganguly takes over as Delhi Capitals coach in ‘exciting responsibility’ "From the bowler's point of view, domestically there's T20 cricket going on at the moment, so we feel that they'll be better served here, where they will bowl more red balls in training," Prince said. “And if they're not in the Test lineup, then they can continue bowling during the Test match in the nets, just to get the loads up.” Lack of Red-Ball Cricket Makes Rabada’s Case Trickier Kagiso Rabada hasn’t played any Test cricket since touring Pakistan in October last year, later missing the two-Test away series against India with a rib injury. He also hasn’t played any first-class cricket in the meantime. All indications suggest that South Africa would want him 100% ready before unleashing him in the Durban Test against the mighty Aussies. "Fair to say that he's obviously not going to be at 100% straight away, but he is looking good," Prince said. "He will train with the squad for the rest of the week, and we will leave a call to be made as late as possible." For the first time in eight years, Australia has toured South Africa for a Test series, having last toured in 2018, when the infamous Sandpapergate scandal occurred. The two teams will also meet for the first time in Tests since their 2025 WTC Final face-off, where the Proteas stood tall, winning their first ICC title since 1998. South Africa are currently second on the 2025-2027 WTC points table, with 10 Tests to play in the ongoing cycle, including eight at home between now and January 2027 and two away in Sri Lanka.

South Africa will make a late call on Kagiso Rabada's fitness for the 1st Test against Australia in Durban as the pacer completes his injury recovery.

SA vs AUS 2026: South Africa to take call on Rabada’s availability for first Test ‘as late as possible’

Temba Bavuma-led South Africa put in a strong all-round display to beat Australia by 67 runs in the first ODI in Durban on Thursday. It was the first ODI meeting between the two teams since Australia defeated South Africa in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.After opting to bowl following the toss, Australia struck early through Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis, who dismissed Quinton de Kock for 18 with his first delivery in the eighth over to reduce South Africa to 29/2.&nbsp;Matthew Breetzke then steadied the innings and played a confident knock. He found the gaps well and went on to score his second ODI century. South Africa continued to lose wickets, with Bavuma making 30 and Ryan Rickelton scoring 27.&nbsp;Marco Jansen then changed the momentum with a quick 75 off 59 balls. His partnership with Breetzke helped South Africa move close to 300, but the hosts eventually finished on 297. Ellis was Australia’s best bowler with 3/57, while Adam Zampa took 2/50.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/asian-games-2026-day-5-seema-mixed-relay-shine-with-athletics-medals-roshibina-takes-wushu-silver-1790264307032">Asian Games 2026 Day 5: Seema, mixed relay shine with athletics medals, Roshibina takes Wushu silver</a>&nbsp;Australia started the chase strongly, with captain Mitchell Marsh attacking the bowlers. He scored 60 off 36 balls before Keshav Maharaj dismissed him in the 10th over, with Australia on 90.&nbsp;South Africa’s spinners then took control as Maharaj claimed 4/20, while Bjorn Fortuin picked up 2/34. Travis Head (36), Cooper Connolly (38) and Matt Renshaw (44) offered resistance, but Australia struggled against the spin and were bowled out.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tyson-fury-vs-anthony-joshua-british-heavyweight-showdown-set-for-dec-11-in-cardiff-1790255128282">Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: British heavyweight showdown set for Dec 11</a>&nbsp;The second ODI will be played in Johannesburg on Sunday, followed by the third match. The teams will then meet in an ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 series.

Breetzke’s 112 helped South Africa post 297/8 before Keshav Maharaj’s four-wicket haul bowled Australia out for 230, securing a 67-run victory.

Temba Bavuma-led South Africa put in a strong all-round display to beat Australia by 67 runs in the first ODI in Durban on Thursday. It was the first ODI meeting between the two teams since Australia defeated South Africa in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. After opting to bowl following the toss, Australia struck early through Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis, who dismissed Quinton de Kock for 18 with his first delivery in the eighth over to reduce South Africa to 29/2. Matthew Breetzke then steadied the innings and played a confident knock. He found the gaps well and went on to score his second ODI century. South Africa continued to lose wickets, with Bavuma making 30 and Ryan Rickelton scoring 27. Marco Jansen then changed the momentum with a quick 75 off 59 balls. His partnership with Breetzke helped South Africa move close to 300, but the hosts eventually finished on 297. Ellis was Australia’s best bowler with 3/57, while Adam Zampa took 2/50. Also Read - Asian Games 2026 Day 5: Seema, mixed relay shine with athletics medals, Roshibina takes Wushu silver Australia started the chase strongly, with captain Mitchell Marsh attacking the bowlers. He scored 60 off 36 balls before Keshav Maharaj dismissed him in the 10th over, with Australia on 90. South Africa’s spinners then took control as Maharaj claimed 4/20, while Bjorn Fortuin picked up 2/34. Travis Head (36), Cooper Connolly (38) and Matt Renshaw (44) offered resistance, but Australia struggled against the spin and were bowled out. Also Read - Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: British heavyweight showdown set for Dec 11 The second ODI will be played in Johannesburg on Sunday, followed by the third match. The teams will then meet in an ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 series.

Breetzke’s 112 helped South Africa post 297/8 before Keshav Maharaj’s four-wicket haul bowled Australia out for 230, securing a 67-run victory.

SA vs AUS 1st ODI: Breetzke, Maharaj star as South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs

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South Africa dethrone Australia, claim no. 1 spot in Test rankings

SA to take call on Rabada’s availability for first Test ‘as late as possible’

Breetzke, Maharaj star as South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs