The Proteas off-spinner jumped nine places in the latest update, entering the top 10 for the first time following a performance that secured South Africa a 176-run victory and a 2-1 series triumph.

His rating of 817 points also places him in distinguished company. Only Hugh Tayfield, who reached 895 in February 1957, has achieved a higher rating among South African spinners.

Harmer took 4-104 in Australia’s first innings before returning a career-best 6-16 in the second. His match figures of 10-120 represented his first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket.

On a final day that began with Australia chasing 288, Harmer took the last six wickets to dismiss the tourists for 111. South Africa claimed both the series and the No 1 position in the Test team rankings.

The latest individual standings give the Proteas three bowlers in the world’s top eight, with Marco Jansen second and Kagiso Rabada one place behind Harmer in eighth.

Jansen’s stay at the summit lasted a week, with Mitchell Starc reclaiming top spot after taking nine wickets at Newlands. The Australian left-armer returned figures of 6-72 and 3-65 despite finishing on the losing side.

Harmer also climbed three places to fifth among Test all-rounders, joining Jansen and Wiaan Mulder in the top five. Jansen remains first, while Mulder moved up to third.

There were gains for South Africa’s batsmen too. Mulder rose seven places to 17th, Ryan Rickelton jumped 25 places to 23rd and Aiden Markram moved up one position to 11th.

For Harmer, the reward follows a Test in which he had the final say. With a series to be won at Newlands, Bavuma turned to his off-spinner. Ten wickets and a place among the world’s leading bowlers tell the story.

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