WTC Points Table: South Africa make MASSIVE gains with 233-run win over Sri Lanka

South Africa Surge to Second Spot in WTC Rankings with Commanding Win Over Sri Lanka

South Africa stormed to a comprehensive 233-run victory over Sri Lanka in Durban on Saturday, climbing to second place on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table. The Proteas, spearheaded by an extraordinary performance from pacer Marco Jansen, now find themselves in a strong position to secure a spot in next year’s WTC Final at Lord’s.

Jansen was the standout performer, delivering a career-best match haul of 11/86 that dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting line-up. His efforts earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award and further solidified his reputation as a rising star in Test cricket.

The match was a lopsided affair from the outset, as Sri Lanka crumbled for just 42 runs in their first innings—one of their lowest totals in Test history. In response, South Africa declared at 366/5, setting Sri Lanka an improbable target of 516 runs. Sri Lanka showed some resilience in their second innings, with key contributions from their middle order, but they ultimately fell well short, managing only 282 runs. The crushing defeat saw Sri Lanka slip to fifth place on the WTC table.

With this win, South Africa now boast a points percentage of 59.26%, displacing Australia from the second spot. The Proteas have played nine matches in the current WTC cycle, winning five and losing three. They trail only India, who hold the top position with a points percentage of 61.11%. For Sri Lanka, the loss is a significant blow to their WTC aspirations, as they face an uphill battle to recover in the remaining matches of the cycle.

The two-match Test series now moves to Gqeberha, where the second and final Test will begin on December 5. South Africa will aim to consolidate their position in the WTC standings, while Sri Lanka will look to salvage pride and gain valuable points.

As the race for the WTC Final intensifies, South Africa’s emphatic performance in Durban sends a clear message to the cricketing world: the Proteas are determined to reclaim their place among the elite in Test cricket.