Australia have tightened their grip on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table after producing a commanding performance against South Africa in the opening Test of their three-match series in Durban.
The visitors secured a comprehensive 214-run victory on the final day, taking a 1-0 lead in the series and strengthening their position at the top of the standings. Australia now have 108 points from 11 matches, with nine wins and two defeats, giving them an impressive points percentage (PCT) of 81.82.
Matt Renshaw played a central role in Australia’s victory, delivering a career-best performance with the bat before contributing with the ball. Josh Hazlewood also made a decisive impact, claiming six wickets in South Africa’s second innings to end the hosts’ hopes of chasing a challenging target.
The result has also affected the race among the teams below Australia. New Zealand have climbed to second place, while South Africa have slipped to third following their second defeat of the current WTC cycle.
India remain fifth in the standings, Bangladesh occupy fourth place, and England, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Pakistan complete the bottom half of the table.
Updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table 2025-27
Following Australia’s victory over South Africa in the first Test in Durban on October 13, 2026, the supplied standings place Australia at the top with a points percentage of 81.82.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Deduction | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 81.82 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 72.22 |
| 3 | South Africa | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 60.00 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 55.56 |
| 5 | India | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 68 | 51.52 |
| 6 | England | 16 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 74 | 38.54 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 33.33 |
| 8 | West Indies | 12 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 20.83 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 19 | 5 | 4.63 |
Note: The table reflects the standings supplied for the WTC 2025-27 cycle after the South Africa vs Australia first Test in Durban on October 13, 2026.
Points percentage, rather than the total number of points alone, determines a team’s position in the World Test Championship standings. Teams may play different numbers of matches, making PCT an important measure when comparing their performances across the cycle.
Australia Strengthen Their Position at the Top
Australia’s victory over South Africa represents another important step in their WTC 2025-27 campaign. With nine wins from 11 matches, the team have established a strong position in the race for a place in the championship final.
Their 108 points and PCT of 81.82 place them ahead of every other team in the supplied standings. New Zealand are second with a PCT of 72.22, leaving Australia with a gap of 9.60 percentage points over their closest challengers.
The result in Durban was particularly significant because South Africa entered the series as the defending World Test Championship champions. A win against a direct competitor has strengthened Australia’s position while leaving South Africa with less room for error in their remaining matches.
Australia’s success was built on contributions from several players. Renshaw rescued the innings after the team lost early wickets, while Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon helped him build crucial partnerships. In the second innings, Renshaw again provided momentum before Hazlewood dismantled South Africa’s batting line-up.
Although Australia are currently in a commanding position, the championship cycle is not over. Their final standing will depend on their performances in the remaining fixtures and the results of other competing teams.
Matt Renshaw’s Career-Best Performance Turns the Test Around
Matt Renshaw emerged as the standout performer in Durban, producing a remarkable display when Australia were under pressure on the opening day.
Australia had slipped to 124/6 against South Africa’s lively seam attack, leaving the visitors in danger of losing control of the match. Renshaw responded with a determined innings of 190, helping Australia recover from a difficult position.
His innings was supported by two important partnerships. Renshaw added 83 runs with captain Pat Cummins before sharing a record 123-run stand with Nathan Lyon. Those partnerships helped Australia reach 390 in their first innings.
The total gave Australia a first-innings lead of 106 runs, providing a valuable advantage in a match that had initially looked evenly balanced.
Renshaw continued to influence the contest in the second innings. He scored a quick 82 off 99 balls, helping Australia build a substantial lead alongside Nic Maddinson, who contributed 48 runs.
Australia eventually declared at 314/6, setting South Africa a target of 421 runs to win the Test.
Renshaw’s contribution extended beyond batting. He also claimed his maiden Test wicket during South Africa’s second innings, adding another milestone to an already memorable performance.
Josh Hazlewood Destroys South Africa’s Chase
South Africa faced an enormous challenge after being set a target of 421 runs. Although Aiden Markram led the resistance with a determined 75, the hosts struggled to maintain their chase against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack.
Josh Hazlewood was the leading figure in the second innings, finishing with figures of 6/49. His relentless spell broke through South Africa’s batting order and prevented the hosts from building the partnerships required to threaten Australia’s target.
South Africa were eventually bowled out for 206, handing Australia a 214-run victory.
The result highlighted Australia’s ability to recover from early pressure and then control the match with both bat and ball. Renshaw’s innings created the platform, while Hazlewood’s bowling ensured that South Africa could not mount a successful response.
For the hosts, the defeat means they must regroup quickly ahead of the remaining matches in the three-Test series. A strong response will be important if they want to improve their position in the championship standings.
New Zealand Move Into Second Place
New Zealand have benefited from South Africa’s defeat, moving into second place in the WTC 2025-27 table with a PCT of 72.22.
The Black Caps have played six matches, winning four, losing one and drawing one. Their 52 points place them behind Australia but ahead of South Africa in the current standings.
New Zealand’s position reflects their strong start to the championship cycle. With fewer matches played than Australia, they still have opportunities to improve their points percentage as the competition continues.
The gap between New Zealand and South Africa is now 12.22 percentage points, according to the supplied table. South Africa’s next results will therefore be important as they attempt to regain ground in the standings.
However, New Zealand cannot afford to become complacent. Their remaining matches will determine whether they can maintain their place near the top and remain in contention for the final.
South Africa Drop to Third After Durban Defeat
South Africa’s loss to Australia has pushed the defending champions down to third place in the WTC standings.
Before the match, South Africa were looking to strengthen their campaign against one of the leading teams in the competition. Instead, the 214-run defeat leaves them with three wins and two losses from five matches.
Their points percentage now stands at 60.00, below New Zealand’s 72.22. While South Africa remain in a competitive position, the defeat has reduced their margin for error in the remainder of the cycle.
Markram’s second-innings 75 offered some resistance, but the team could not overcome the challenge posed by Australia’s bowling attack. The failure to chase 421 runs also underlined the importance of building partnerships when pursuing a demanding target.
South Africa still have time to recover. The remaining matches of their series against Australia will provide opportunities to respond and collect valuable points, although they will need improved performances to close the gap on the teams above them.
India Remain Fifth in the WTC Standings
India occupy fifth place in the updated WTC 2025-27 points table, with 68 points and a PCT of 51.52.
According to the supplied standings, India have played 11 matches, winning five, losing four and drawing two. Their position comes after a 1-0 series victory in Sri Lanka.
India remain within reach of the teams above them, but their points percentage is currently below Bangladesh’s 55.56 and South Africa’s 60.00. The gap means that future results will be important if India want to move higher in the standings.
Unlike Australia and New Zealand, India have already played 11 matches in the current cycle. Their remaining opportunities to collect points will therefore be especially important when assessing their chances of reaching the championship final.
India’s position also demonstrates why the WTC points percentage matters. Teams that have played different numbers of matches cannot be compared fairly by looking only at their total points.
Bangladesh Hold Fourth Place as England Struggle
Bangladesh remain fourth in the standings with 40 points and a PCT of 55.56. They have played six matches, recording three wins, two losses and one draw.
Their points percentage places them above India, although the gap between the teams remains relatively small. Bangladesh will need to continue collecting positive results if they want to stay ahead of the teams chasing them.
England occupy sixth place despite having seven wins from 16 matches. Their PCT of 38.54 has been affected by a deduction of 14 points for over-rate penalties, according to the supplied table.
The deduction has significantly affected England’s overall position. Although they have played more matches than any other team in the table, their points percentage remains below those of the top five sides.
Sri Lanka are seventh with a PCT of 33.33, followed by West Indies on 20.83. West Indies have also lost two points through a penalty deduction, according to the supplied standings.
Pakistan sit ninth in the table. The supplied table lists them with five points and a PCT of 4.63 after a deduction of 19 points. Their position leaves them at the bottom of the current standings.
How the World Test Championship Points System Works
The ICC World Test Championship uses a points-percentage system to rank teams during the championship cycle. This approach allows teams that play different numbers of matches to be compared using the proportion of available points they have earned.
Under the system, teams receive points for wins, draws and ties, while penalties can reduce their totals. The PCT is calculated by comparing the points earned with the total points available from matches played.
This is why Australia lead the supplied standings with a PCT of 81.82, while New Zealand sit second on 72.22 despite having played fewer matches.
Over-rate penalties can also affect a team’s position. England’s 14-point deduction and West Indies’ two-point deduction are listed in the supplied table, while Pakistan have a larger deduction of 19 points.
As the 2025-27 cycle continues, each team’s points percentage will change according to its results and any applicable penalties. The final standings will determine which teams qualify for the World Test Championship final.
Conclusion
Australia have strengthened their position at the top of the WTC 2025-27 points table after defeating South Africa by 214 runs in Durban. The victory takes them to 108 points and a PCT of 81.82 after nine wins in 11 matches.
Matt Renshaw’s career-best 190 and second-innings 82 laid the foundation for Australia’s success, while Josh Hazlewood’s six-wicket haul completed the victory. New Zealand have moved into second place, and South Africa have dropped to third following their second defeat of the cycle.
India remain fifth, Bangladesh are fourth, and England sit sixth after a significant over-rate deduction. With more matches to come in the WTC 2025-27 cycle, the race for a place in the final remains open, and future results will continue to reshape the standings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is at the top of the WTC 2025-27 points table?
Australia are at the top of the supplied standings with 108 points and a points percentage of 81.82 after winning nine of their 11 matches.
2. By how many runs did Australia defeat South Africa in the first Test?
Australia defeated South Africa by 214 runs in the first Test in Durban, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
3. Who was the Player of the Match in South Africa vs Australia 1st Test?
Matt Renshaw was named Player of the Match after scoring 190 in Australia’s first innings and 82 in the second innings, as well as taking his maiden Test wicket.
4. What is Australia’s points percentage in the WTC 2025-27 standings?
Australia’s points percentage is 81.82, according to the supplied table updated after the first Test against South Africa.
5. Which team is second in the WTC 2025-27 points table?
New Zealand are second with a PCT of 72.22 from six matches, including four wins, one defeat and one draw.
6. What is India’s position in the latest WTC standings?
India are fifth with 68 points and a PCT of 51.52 after playing 11 matches in the current championship cycle.
7. Why are England’s WTC points affected?
England have received a 14-point deduction for over-rate penalties, according to the supplied standings. The deduction has affected their points total and overall position.
8. Which team is at the bottom of the WTC 2025-27 points table?
Pakistan are ninth in the supplied table, with five points and a PCT of 4.63 after a listed deduction of 19 points.
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