There’s exciting news in the world of Test cricket! Following their spectacular victory in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final, there’s been a significant “surge” in ICC Test Rankings South Africa. The Proteas, as the South African team is known, have climbed to the No. 2 position globally. This big jump comes after they won their first major ICC title in 27 years, a truly historic achievement.
A Look Back at the WTC Final Journey
On June 11, the Proteas faced the “defending champions” Australia in the high-stakes 2025 World Test Championship final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. The match seemed to be “heading only one way” in the early stages, favoring Australia. After Australia posted 212 runs in their first innings, South Africa was “bowled out” for a relatively low score of just 138 runs in response. This gave Australia a strong lead.
However, the tide began to turn. In their second innings, Australia “eventually recovered” from a shaky position of 73 runs for 7 wickets to post a total of 207 runs. This recovery was largely “courtesy” (thanks to) an unbeaten 58-run innings from their No. 9 batter, Mitchell Starc.
With 282 runs “required for victory,” South Africa showed immense resilience. Aiden Markram’s brilliant century (136 runs) and captain Temba Bavuma’s gritty 66 runs “set the platform” (created a strong base) for the chase. Finally, Kyle Verreynne scored the winning runs on the morning of Day Four. This moment “sealed South Africa’s maiden WTC title,” marking their first senior ICC trophy since 1998, ending a long and frustrating wait.
How the Rankings Changed
Not only have South Africa lifted the prestigious “Test mace” (the WTC trophy), but they have also been “rewarded with a rise” in the ICC’s Test team rankings. Before the WTC final, South Africa was ranked third in the world with a “rating” of 111 points, behind Australia and England.
A win against Australia, who are currently the No. 1 side in Test cricket, is “weighted higher” (gives more ranking points) than a win against any other team. Because of their impressive victory, South Africa gained three valuable rating points from the WTC final. This was “enough to move into second” place with a total rating of 114. This push meant that England, with their rating of 113, moved “down to third” position. Australia, despite their loss in the final, remains at the top of the table with a strong rating of 123. The significant jump in ICC Test Rankings South Africa reflects the value of their WTC triumph.
Understanding ICC Test Rankings
The ICC Test Rankings system is a way to measure the performance and consistency of international Test teams. Teams earn points based on their match results, with wins against higher-ranked teams giving more points. These points are then used to calculate a team’s “rating,” which determines their position in the rankings. A higher rating indicates a better performing team over a sustained period. The rise in ICC Test Rankings South Africa is a clear indicator of their growing strength in the longest format of the game.
Being ranked highly means a team is consistently performing well against top opposition, which helps build their reputation and confidence. It also adds extra prestige to bilateral series, as points are always at stake.
What’s Next for the Top Teams?
The cricketing calendar remains busy for these top-ranked Test nations:
- South Africa’s next “Test engagement” (match series) will be a two-match tour of Zimbabwe, starting from June 28. They will aim to continue their winning momentum.
- England will “take on” (play against) fourth-placed India in a highly anticipated five-match home Test series, which begins on June 20. This series will be crucial for England to try and reclaim their No. 2 spot.
- Australia will travel to the West Indies for a three-match Test series, starting from June 25. They will look to bounce back from their WTC final defeat and reinforce their No. 1 position.
The ICC Test Rankings South Africa story highlights the competitive nature of modern Test cricket, where every match, especially against top teams, has a significant impact on a team’s standing in the world. The Proteas’ rise is a testament to their hard work and remarkable performance in the WTC Final.
Latest ICC Test Team Rankings
| Position | Team | Matches | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 26 | 3,200 | 123 |
| 2 | South Africa | 22 | 2,501 | 114 |
| 3 | England | 34 | 3,839 | 113 |
| 4 | India | 27 | 2,837 | 105 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 22 | 2,094 | 95 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 24 | 2,078 | 87 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 22 | 1,705 | 78 |
| 8 | West Indies | 22 | 1,613 | 73 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 24 | 1,487 | 62 |
| 10 | Ireland | 5 | 152 | 30 |
| 11 | Afghanistan | 5 | 104 | 21 |
| 12 | Zimbabwe | 11 | 131 | 12 |
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