Petrol Shock Looms by April

South African motorists are bracing for the possibility of another fuel price blow, with growing fears that petrol could climb towards R26 a litre by April if global oil markets remain under pressure.

The alarm comes as oil prices have surged sharply following escalating conflict in the Middle East. Brent crude, which was below $80 a barrel little more than a week ago, climbed past $100, while Reuters reported that it traded as high as about $119 on Monday, 9 March 2026, as markets reacted to fears of supply disruptions and wider regional instability.

For South Africans, the danger is clear. Fuel prices are heavily influenced by the international oil price and the rand-dollar exchange rate. The rand also came under pressure on Monday, falling to a three-month low as investors worried that rising oil prices could lift inflation and hurt growth.

That combination is bad news for motorists, commuters, transport operators and households already stretched by the rising cost of living. South Africa’s official inland price for 95 unleaded petrol moved to R20.19 a litre from 4 March 2026, according to current fuel price data. If oil remains elevated through March and the rand stays weak, a steep April adjustment cannot be ruled out.

Economists have warned that a prolonged conflict could push inflation higher, with fuel likely to be among the first areas where consumers feel the pain. Once petrol and diesel rise, the effect usually spreads quickly into food prices, public transport costs and the price of basic goods delivered by road. The South African Reserve Bank has already indicated that it will rework its economic scenarios ahead of its next interest rate decision because of the oil shock.