In a high-intensity final-day showdown at Newlands, South Africa delivered a masterclass in pressure bowling to rout Australia for 111 runs and seal a commanding 176-run victory in the third and final Test. Driven by off-spinner Simon Harmer’s career-best figures of 6 for 16 and an explosive opening spell by Kagiso Rabada (3 for 39), the Proteas wrapped up the series 2-1 after rebounding from a series-opening loss in Durban.
South Africa demolish Australia in Cape Town Test to seal series 2-1
Set a target of 288 runs on a treacherous, deteriorating Day 5 pitch, Australia’s batting lineup surrendered inside two sessions. The result clinched a series victory for South Africa and significantly altered the upper reaches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–2027 standings.
Rabada’s early blitz destroys Australia's top order
Australia entered the fifth morning needing 288 runs for victory, holding all 10 wickets in hand. However, their pursuit derailed almost immediately against Kagiso Rabada’s opening over. On the third delivery of the day, opener Matt Renshaw strayed down the leg side and feathered an edge to diving wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton, departing for a first-ball duck. Three balls later, Marnus Labuschagne misjudged a sharp inward-nipping delivery and was trapped lbw for 4.
Rabada struck again in his third over, finding the edge of Travis Head (14), who was snapped up by Marco Jansen at gully. Within 20 minutes, Australia was reeling at 22 for 3.
Simon Harmer runs through visitors' batting line-up
With Australia under pressure, veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer took control of the match. Finding sharp turn and bounce from the cracks on the Newlands surface, Harmer systematically dismantled Australia's middle and lower order.Josh Inglis (4): Dismissed after a costly run-out mix-up with Cameron Green left him stranded mid-pitch. Alex Carey (2): Caught by Marco Jansen at slip after Harmer extracted extra bounce.Cooper Connolly (0): Edged to short leg on his third ball, giving Harmer two wickets in three deliveries. Mitchell Starc (0): Caught at short leg by David Bedingham just before the lunch break, leaving Australia broken at 60 for 7.
After the lunch interval, Cameron Green provided stubborn resistance with a top-scoring 27 off 64 balls. However, his defense was broken when Harmer produced a turning delivery that clipped his off-stump.Australian captain Pat Cummins (11) delayed the inevitable before being trapped lbw by Harmer. Harmer finished the match by clean bowling Josh Hazlewood for 0, recording figures of 6 for 16 from 21.1 overs. Australia collapsed for 111, suffering a 176-run defeat.
SA surge to 2nd, Australia slump to 3rd in WTC 2025-2027 points
South Africa's 2-1 series victory disrupted the top half of the World Test Championship standings. Prior to the Cape Town Test, Australia held the top spot with a points percentage (PCT) of 75.00%. The defeat brought significant changes across the board.
1. Australia Knocked Off the Top Spot: Australia suffered a substantial hit to their qualification campaign. The loss dropped their PCT from 75.00% to 69.23%, dropping them down two places from 1st to 3rd position. Having dropped consecutive Tests in Gqeberha and Cape Town, Australia's margin for error has diminished ahead of their remaining home and away series.
2. South Africa Climb to Number 2: Defending WTC champions South Africa improved their PCT from 66.67% to 71.42%. The series comeback propelled the Proteas past Australia into 2nd place. The result solidifies South Africa's positioning as they seek back-to-back appearances in the World Test Championship final.
3. New Zealand Benefit to Take Top Spot: New Zealand inherited the No. 1 ranking without taking the field. With a PCT of 72.22% across their six matches, the Black Caps moved into first place due to Australia’s drop in points percentage.
4. Relief for India's Qualification Hopes: The result provided a favorable outcome for Team India (currently in 4th place with a 51.52% PCT). Australia's series loss prevented them from widening the gap at the top of the table. With Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand closely clustered around the 69%–72% PCT mark, the race for the top two spots remains competitive heading into upcoming Test series.
Bangladesh currently hold the fifth position on the World Test Championship ladder, having picked up three victories from their seven outings to secure a 47.61 percentage rating. Just below them, England and Sri Lanka occupy the sixth and seventh places, holding win percentages of 38.54 and 33.33 respectively.
At the lower end of the spectrum, the West Indies and Pakistan continue to struggle near the base of the standings. The Caribbean team sits in eighth place with a 33.33 percentage mark, while Pakistan remain anchored at the very bottom in ninth spot with a meager 4.63 percentage.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | D | Pts | Pct (%) |
| 1 | New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 52 | 72.22 |
| 2 | South Africa | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 71.42 |
| 3 | Australia | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 108 | 69.23 |
| 4 | India | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 68 | 51.52 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 47.61 |
| 6 | England | 16 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 74 | 38.54 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 33.33 |
| 8 | West Indies (E) | 13 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 42 | 33.33 |
| 9 | Pakistan (E) | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5* | 4.63 |
Australia’s path forward features a major home campaign against local rivals New Zealand in a four-Test series, which serves as a prelude to their high-profile tour of India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy early next year.
For the Proteas, the upcoming schedule brings significant subcontinental and home action. South Africa will host both Bangladesh and England across five Tests on home soil before making a trip to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in February 2027.
Meanwhile, India have a two-match Test series line-up against New Zealand, which is slated to get underway from November 19. The Shubman Gill-led side will have the most of it in pursuit to make it to the WTC final, which will be played at London's Oval from June 9 to June 13, 2027.