South Africa claimed the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings after a dominant victory against Sri Lanka in the second Test at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha. The home team secured a 109-run win on the final day, completing a 2-0 series sweep.
The match ended with an anticlimactic collapse of Sri Lanka’s lower order, unable to withstand South Africa’s lethal bowling. Keshav Maharaj, with his five-wicket haul, and Marco Jansen, who dismissed Lahiru Kumara with his first delivery of the day, were pivotal in wrapping up the visitors’ innings in the first session. Kagiso Rabada and Maharaj played crucial roles in removing set batters Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, leaving Sri Lanka’s chase of 348 runs well short.
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Heading into the final day, Sri Lanka needed 143 runs with five wickets in hand to level the series, while South Africa sought a clean sweep. Despite a resilient 83-run partnership between de Silva and Mendis on Day 4, the visitors faltered early on Day 5. De Silva’s half-century ended when he nicked a Rabada delivery to Kyle Verreynne, and Mendis followed soon after, caught by Aiden Markram off Maharaj.
The victory propelled South Africa to a points percentage of 63.33, surpassing Australia in the WTC rankings.
Sri Lanka had entered the match aiming to bounce back after a heavy 233-run defeat in the first Test in Durban, where they suffered a record-low innings total of 42. Batting first in the second Test, South Africa faced early setbacks but recovered with a 133-run stand between skipper Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton. Rickelton scored a well-earned century before South Africa ended Day 1 at 269/7.
Day 2 saw Kyle Verreynne anchor the lower order, completing his third Test century to lift South Africa to 358. Sri Lanka responded with a strong showing, ending Day 2 at 242/3, thanks to Pathum Nissanka’s gritty 89. However, their innings faltered on Day 3 as Dane Paterson’s maiden five-for bowled them out for 328, giving South Africa a slim 30-run lead.
South Africa capitalized on their position, closing Day 3 at 191/3 and eventually setting Sri Lanka a daunting target of 348 runs. Contributions from Tristan Stubbs, Bavuma, and David Bedingham, along with a lower-order effort, extended their advantage.
Sri Lanka’s chase began poorly, reduced to 122/6 before de Silva and Mendis offered a brief resistance. Ultimately, South Africa’s bowlers proved too strong, sealing a comprehensive series win and solidifying their status as WTC frontrunners.
Also See: ICC World Test Championship Points Table 2025 Standings and Rankings
Brief Score:
- South Africa 358 & 317 (Temba Bavuma 66, Aiden Markram 55, Prabhat Jayasuriya 5/129)
- Sri Lanka 328 & 238 (Dhananjaya de Silva 50, Kusal Mendis 46, Keshav Maharaj 5/76).
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