South Africa defeated Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the 2nd Test at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, which concluded on October 22, 2026. The result has had a direct bearing on the World Test Championship 2025-27 standings and has brought India’s qualification picture into sharper focus.
Australia remain at the top of the WTC table despite the defeat, holding a points conversion percentage of 75.00. The loss was only their third in 12 matches in the current cycle, which underlines how dominant Pat Cummins’s side has been overall. South Africa’s victory, however, prevented Australia from extending their lead at the summit of the standings.
South Africa’s win lifted the Proteas to third place in the WTC table, with their PCT moving to 66.67. New Zealand currently occupy second position with a PCT of 72.22, and they are yet to play a two-match series against India, which adds another layer of complexity to the qualification race.
India sit fifth in the WTC standings at present, with seven matches still to play in the current cycle. Those seven games comprise two Tests against New Zealand and five Tests against Australia, all scheduled at home.
How many points does India need to qualify for the WTC final?
India require 62 points from their remaining seven Tests to reach a PCT of 60 in the 2025-27 cycle. Achieving that target demands that India win the bulk of those matches, with the qualification arithmetic allowing for no more than two defeats across the entire run-in.
The challenge is demanding but not beyond reach. India’s home record in Test cricket has historically been formidable, and five of their remaining seven fixtures are on home soil. The two Tests against New Zealand come first and will set the tone for the rest of India’s campaign in this WTC cycle.
For context, the finalists in the previous WTC cycle finished with PCTs of 69.44 and 67.54 respectively. If that benchmark holds broadly true for the 2025-27 cycle, India will need to win the majority of their remaining matches to reach a comparable PCT and secure a top-two finish.
Cummins dissects Australia’s Gqeberha defeat to South Africa
Where do the other contenders stand in the WTC 2025-27 table?
Australia lead the table with a PCT of 75.00 from 12 matches, and their position looks secure for now despite the Gqeberha defeat. South Africa‘s rise to third on 66.67 means the Proteas are firmly in contention for a final berth, having beaten Australia in a match that carried significant WTC points.
New Zealand are second on 72.22 and have the upcoming two-match series against India to negotiate. Results in that series will affect both sides’ standings directly, making it one of the most consequential fixtures remaining in the 2025-27 cycle.
Bangladesh are placed fourth in the current standings, with four of their remaining six matches scheduled at home. Their position means they could yet apply pressure on teams like India if results go their way. The WTC 2025-27 race therefore remains open across several positions below Australia, with India needing a strong run of results to move into the top two.
