Proteas slip in ICC Test rankings, end year 4th

Cape Town - Despite defeating Pakistan in the opening Test at Centurion, the Proteas have dropped in the ICC Test rankings.

Faf du Plessis' and his men secured a comfortable six-wicket victory inside three days at SuperSport Park last week.

However, the Black Caps have leapfrogged South Africa to take third place in the Test team rankings after beating Sri Lanka in the second Test and clinching a historic 1-0 series win.

Meanwhile, the Proteas have a chance to leapfrog the Black Caps and England if they can go 2-0 up against Pakistan.

If the Proteas complete a whitewash 3-0 win, it will carry South Africa to 110 points - six points behind leaders, India.

READ: Proteas eye 2nd spot on ICC Test rankings

The second Test between South Africa and Pakistan gets underway at Newlands on Thursday.

Play starts at 10:00.

Series scenarios:

South Africa win 3-0: South Africa 110 points, Pakistan 88 points

South Africa win 2-0: South Africa 108, Pakistan 89

South Africa win 2-1 or 1-0: South Africa 107, Pakistan 91

Series drawn: South Africa 105, Pakistan 94

Pakistan win 3-0: South Africa 99, Pakistan 100

Pakistan win 2-0: South Africa 101, Pakistan 99

Pakistan win 2-1: South Africa 102, Pakistan 97

Latest ICC Test rankings

1. India - 116

2. England - 108

3. New Zealand - 107

4. South Africa - 106

5. Australia - 102

6. Pakistan - 92

7. Sri Lanka - 91

8. West Indies - 70

9. Bangladesh - 69

10. Zimbabwe - 13