South Africa can make a rapid return to second spot in the ICC Test Championship table if it can win the forthcoming away series against Sri Lanka starting in Galle on Wednesday.
South Africa fell outside the top two in the official Test table for the first time when the ratings were updated at the end of last month.
The team goes into the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka one point behind England, with the knowledge that a 2-0 win will propel it back into second place.
If South Africa wins both matches in the series its rating will climb from 106 to 110, while a 1-0 win will give it a rating of 108.
England has made a strong start to its home series against the West Indies but even a 4-0 win will only improve its rating to 109. If England beats the West Indies 3-0 it will have a rating of 108.
Sri Lanka has a strong home Test record and if it can win both matches against South Africa it will improve its rating from 99 to 105. This will lift it above India and level with Pakistan which currently holds fourth spot.
The ICC Test Championship table on 3 August:
Position Team Rating
1 Australia 129
2 England 107
3 South Africa 106
4 Pakistan 105
5 India 104
6 Sri Lanka 99
7 New Zealand 94
8 West Indies 76
9 Zimbabwe 51
10 Bangladesh 1 – Sapa