At 11h29 CAT, the Rand traded at 17.9150 against the Dollar, 0.5% stronger than Thursday's closing level. SA is a major producer of precious metals and benefits from higher gold prices.

Gold prices rose on Friday and were poised for their biggest weekly gain in more than a month, as a softer US dollar and concerns over the country's fiscal outlook boosted bullion's safe-haven appeal.

On the stock market, the Top-40 index was last up 0.7%.

SA's benchmark 2030 government bond was also stronger in early deals, with the yield down 2.5 basis points to 8.87%.

--Reuters--