# Huge shake-up in WTC points table as South Africa crushes Australia by an innings and 31 runs

> South Africa bounced back strongly in the second Test at Gqeberha to defeat Australia by an innings and 31 runs, shaking up the ICC World Test Championship standings.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-10-23 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/aisisi-vishva-testa-chainpiyanashipa-anka-talika-men-bhuchala-south-africa-ne-australia-ko-raunda-50926 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** World Test Championship, South Africa cricket, Australia cricket, cricket news, WTC points table

After dropping the opening match of the three-match Test series, hosts South Africa mounted a stellar comeback in the second fixture to defeat Australia by an innings and 31 runs. Played at the venue in Gqeberha, the match saw nearly two days washed out due to rain. Sent in to bat after losing the toss, the African side declared their first innings at a formidable score of 425. In response, the Australian batting lineup collapsed for just 99 runs in their first innings. Forced to follow on, the visitors managed 295 runs in their second essay before being bowled out entirely. This resounding victory has elevated South Africa's standing in the WTC 2025-27 points table, though they remain positioned in the third spot.

 

## The battle for the top two intensifies after the African win
 Australia had previously cemented their hold on the number-one position in the WTC 2025-27 points table by winning the first Test, which had pushed South Africa down to third. Following the Gqeberha Test, while the numerical rankings of the top teams remain unchanged, their percentage points have shifted noticeably. Australia retains the top spot, but their points percentage has dropped from 81.82 to 75 percent. Meanwhile, New Zealand holds the second position with a points percentage of 72.22. South Africa, who previously sat at 60 percent following their opening defeat, has now climbed to 66.67 percent. Consequently, the final match of this Test series has grown immensely crucial, as a series-concluding victory for South Africa could potentially cost Australia their coveted number-one ranking.

 

## Team India standing and other placings in the championship
 Regarding the position of the Indian cricket team in the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, qualification for the final remains mathematically possible. To achieve this, India must secure victories in their two-match Test series against New Zealand and their subsequent home Test series against Australia. Team India currently holds a points percentage of 51.52 in the ongoing WTC cycle. Elsewhere in the standings, Bangladesh occupies the fourth position with a points percentage of 55.56, while England sits in the sixth spot holding an exact points percentage of 38.54.

## What this means for you
This significant Test match result directly impacts the qualification scenarios for multiple top contenders in the ongoing championship cycle.

- **Across India:** **Team India standing:** India currently holds a 51.52 points percentage and must win upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia to keep final hopes alive from the fifth spot.

- **Global standings:** **Title race shifts:** Australia's hold on the top rank is now vulnerable as the final series fixture determines the number-one spot, while South Africa and New Zealand close in.

## Why this happened
South Africa's dominant victory over Australia in the Gqeberha Test stems from disciplined batting execution and lethal bowling spells across rain-shortened days. Despite losing the toss, the home side capitalized on favorable batting conditions initially before dismantling the opposition twice.

- **First innings total:** **First innings total:** South Africa posted a commanding 425-run declaration score that put intense pressure on the touring side right away.

- **Bowling collapse:** **Bowling collapse:** The Australian batting lineup crumbled completely for just 99 runs in their opening innings under sustained pressure.

- **Follow-on struggle:** **Follow-on struggle:** Forced to bat again, Australia managed 295 runs in their second essay but failed to avoid a heavy innings defeat.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Where was the second Test match between South Africa and Australia played?
The second Test match between South Africa and Australia was played at the venue in Gqeberha.

### 2. What was the margin of South Africa's victory over Australia in the second Test?
South Africa defeated Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test match.

### 3. What is Australia's points percentage in the WTC table following this match?
Following the result, Australia's points percentage dropped from 81.82 to 75 percent.

### 4. Where does the Indian cricket team stand in the WTC 2025-27 standings?
Team India currently occupies the fifth position in the WTC standings with a points percentage of 51.52.

### 5. What is South Africa's ranking and points percentage after winning the Test?
South Africa remains in third place in the points table, with their percentage improving to 66.67.

---
_TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._