Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, David Warner all have the potential to be top dog on the ICC's test batting rankings by the end of the trans-Tasman series.
The International Cricket Council announced its updated rankings yesterday, with Williamson joining Australian skipper Smith in equal second spot.
Warner climbed two placesand is ranked No 5.
AB de Villiers remains first with 899 points, however Smith (893), Williamson (893) and Warner (880) could all reel him in soon.
All three batsmen are hardly short of form as they prepare for the series final at Adelaide Oval, the inaugural day-night test that starts on November 27.
Williamson posted centuries at the Gabba and Waca, while Warner backed up twin tons in the first test with a knock of 253 in Perth.
Smith scored 138 in the second innings of the second test, seeing off a spirited New Zealand fightback.
South Africa face India in the third match of their four-test series in Nagpur later this month, when a couple of failures from de Villiers could spell the end of his time at the top of the rankings.
