South Africa victory over Australia raises WTC percentages and affects India

South Africa beat Australia at St George’s Park, Gqeberha in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 second Test, a result reported on October 23, 2026, that lifted South Africa's WTC percentage and has implications for India's position on the table.

After losing the first Test and slipping from second to third on the WTC 2025-27 points table, South Africa's win in Gqeberha moved them from 60 PCT to 66.67 PCT while they remain third; Australia sit top on 75 PCT and New Zealand are second on 72.22 PCT. The victory also levelled the series with one final match to decide the winner.

The match swing came after a recovery from 110/6 to a declaration at 425/9 in South Africa's first innings, led by captain Temba Bavuma's 179 off 334 balls and contributions of 85 from Marco Jansen and 82 from Simon Harmer; Australia were dismissed for 99 in their first innings with Jansen taking 5/33. Australia produced 295 in the second innings but still lost the Test.

India sit fifth on the WTC table with 51.52 PCT and have seven matches remaining in this cycle. Their scheduled remaining fixtures are two away Tests in New Zealand and five home Tests against Australia; a clean sweep of those seven would leave India on 66.67 PCT, matching South Africa's current figure.

If India win five of their seven remaining Tests they would finish at approximately 62 PCT. Under that scenario they would remain behind any team finishing above that mark, so their final position will depend both on their results and on the outcomes for the leading sides.

Australia have nine Tests left (1 vs SA, 3 vs NZ and 5 vs IND); the article notes that even if Australia were to lose all five to India but win their other matches they would finish at 68.8%, which would be sufficient to qualify. South Africa's remaining schedule comprises six Tests (1 vs AUS, 2 vs BAN and 3 vs ENG).

The piece states that if South Africa beat Australia and Bangladesh and secure at least one win against England their chances remain strong. After a poor game in Durban, South Africa's performance in this second Test also earned them important points in the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle.

The series is set to conclude with the final Test at Newlands in Cape Town, starting on October 27 at 2 PM IST; that match will decide the winner of the series and provide further movement in the WTC points table.