South Africa beat Australia in the third and final Test in Cape Town by 176 runs. Here are the updated ICC men's Test team rankings after their 2-1 series triumph.
Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer tag-teamed on the final day of the Cape Town Test as South Africa demolished Australia by 176 runs and clinched the three-match series. Rabada started the destruction with three wickets while Harmer claimed a six-for.
Australia opted to bat first but that decision quickly seemed to have backfired with Marques Ackerman blasting 95 off 94 deliveries. Mitchell Starc took six for 72 to pull things back and restrict the hosts to 329. Josh Inglis then scored a century to help Australia get a 100-run lead in the first innings.
Ackerman scored 62 in the second innings as well before South Africa lost half the side for 181. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder stepped up for the home side with magnificent individual centuries from number six and seven, respectively. Their fighting knocks and a 154-run partnership propelled the side to a defendable 288.
ICC men's Test team rankings: Updated table after South Africa's series victory over Australia
The Proteas didn't just beat the Aussies in this series but also displaced them on the ICC men's Test team rankings. They gained five points after the Cape Town Test while Australia took a four-point hit and dropped to second place.
| Position | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 124 | |
| 2 | 122 | |
| 3 | New Zealand | 106 |
| 4 | India | 105 |
| 5 | England | 102 |
| 6 | Bangladesh | 77 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 75 |
| 8 | West Indies | 74 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 71 |
| 10 | Zimbabwe | 17 |
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