South Africa won their second and final Test match against visiting Sri Lanka by 109 runs at St George's Park, Gqeberha on Monday (December 9, 2024). The win helped the Proteas leapfrog Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table. The two top teams will qualify for the Lord's final in July 2025. (More Cricket News)

After setting a 348-run target, Temba Bavuma & Co. wrapped up the Sri Lanka innings in the morning session of the final day with Keshav Maharaj completing a five-wicket haul (5/76). The hosts also won the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban by 233 runs.

The result also meant that Sri Lanka are effectively out of the WTC final reckoning. South Africa, meanwhile, have put themselves in a prime position to make their maiden WTC final. Defending champions Australia and two-time finalists India are the other two teams still in contention.

State of play after South Africa vs Sri Lanka series

South Africa (6 wins, 3 defeats, 1 draw)

South Africa, with a point percentage (PCT) of 63.33%, will take on Pakistan in a two-match series, starting with the Boxing Day Test, from December 26. Win both matches, and they will qualify for the WTC final. Even a 1-1 draw should be enough as Australia and India are currently involved in a series, a virtual knock-out.

South Africa's highest possible PCT: 69.44%

Australia (9 wins, 4 defeats, 1 draw)

With a PCT of 60.71%, Australia are currently second and they have five more matches -- three matches against India at home and two away in Sri Lanka. Even if they play out a 2-2 draw with India, a series win against Sri Lanka will give them a chance to defend the title. Pat Cummins & Co. were deducted 10 points.

Australia's highest possible PCT: 67.65%

India (9 wins, 6 defeats, 1 draw)

Despite a shambolic outing against visiting New Zealand (0-3 series defeat), a win against Australia in their Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener Down Under briefly lifted India. But a 10-wicket humbling in the subsequent match (the Pink Ball Test) left the Rohit Sharma-led in a precarious position. For India to make a third successive WTC final appearance, they need to win the three remaining matches. They have been docked two points, and have a PCT of 57.29%.

India's highest possible PCT: 64.04%

Other teams in the nine-team ICC World Test Championship are England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the West Indies. Afghanistan and Ireland, despite gaining Test status, have not been promoted to this exclusive league.

India were the finalists in the first two editions of the World Test Championship. In 2021, they lost to New Zealand by eight wickets at Rose Bowl, Southampton. Two years later, Australia handed them a 209-run thrashing at the Oval, London.