WTC 2023-25 Standings After NZ vs SA 2nd Test: New Zealand Consolidate Top Spot, South Africa Drop Down

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New Zealand consolidated their position on top of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings following a 7-wicket series sealing win over South Africa in the second Test of the two-match series on Friday (February 16).

After missing out on whitewashing a series against Bangladesh last year, New Zealand managed to do one at home against a second-string South Africa side, who put up a good fight in the Hamilton Test.

Kane Williamson scored his 32nd Test century to help New Zealand move further ahead at the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings. Williamson's 133* drew him level with Australia's Steve Smith for the most Test centuries by any current player.

It was New Zealand's second consecutive Test triumph over the Proteas and the 2-0 series sweep sees them incease their lead at the top of the World Test Championship standings with a 75 percent win-loss percentage.

While South Africa showed some much better signs than in the first Test at Mount Maunganui, the loss sees them fall to eighth on the World Test Championship standings and below England with a 25 percent win-loss percentage.

As a result of this match, New Zealand remained on top of the World Test Championship points table. South Africa dropped down to eighth. Here is a look at the latest WTC standings:

WTC 2023-25 Standings After NZ vs SA 2nd Test - World Test Championship Points Table

It sets up a crucial top-of-the-standings battle between the Kiwis and Australia later this month, with the two trans-Tasman rivals set to battle it out in a two-Test series in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, India also could move places as they currently are in command in the third Test against England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, where Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja's centuries has taken them to big total in the first innings.

The table could see a lot of changes in the next two month as England, India, New Zealand and Australia will be among teams involved in Test action. Here is a look what's next in the WTC 2023-25 cycle:

WTC 2023-25 Cycle Next Matches Till April 4, 2024

• February 23 - 27: India vs England 4th Test - Ranchi
• February 29 - March 4: New Zealand vs Australia 1st Test - Wellington
• March 7 - 11: India vs England 5th Test - Dharamsala
• March 8 - 12: New Zealand vs Australia 2nd Test - Christchurch
• March 22 - 26: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st Test - Sylhet
• March 30 - April 4: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test - Chattogram