South Africa has moved back ahead of India in the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship table after its comprehensive defeat of Bangladesh over two Tests.
With the two sides being separated by just a fraction of a ratings point before the series began, the Proteas always had the chance to take back the number-two spot that India had snatched from them by beating Australia 2-0 in October/November.
It needed to win both matches, in Bloemfontein and Centurion, in order to do so, a feat that was achieved with relative ease, winning both matches by a considerable margin.
However, despite the win there are still 13 points separating Australia in first place from second-place South Africa as Ricky Ponting's team gained a point for its 2-0 series win over New Zealand which concluded in Adelaide on Monday.
Meanwhile, for its part New Zealand has slipped below the West Indies to eighth in the ICC Test Championship following its defeat to Australia.
The Black Caps were just one ratings point ahead of the men from the Caribbean before the series but defeats in Brisbane and Adelaide mean the Kiwis lose that slender lead and fall to eighth by a fraction of a point.
However, the good news for Daniel Vettori and his team is that they have an immediate opportunity to claim the place back as they prepare to play host to the West Indies for a two-Test series later this month.
Victory in that series would see New Zealand return to seventh in the table but a drawn series or defeat will leave the West Indies ahead.
