🔥 Trending South Africa Petrol Price Forecast for September: What to Expect

South Africa's September 2026 Fuel Price Outlook: Increases Expected for Both Petrol and Diesel

As of August 8, 2026, early data suggests that South African motorists should brace for significant fuel price increases in September 2026, affecting both petrol and diesel. This follows a mixed adjustment in August, where petrol prices saw a decrease while diesel prices rose substantially ³.

August 2026 Fuel Price Adjustments Recap

In August 2026, South Africa experienced varied fuel price changes:

• Petrol: A decrease of 52 cents per litre was implemented, largely due to a significant cut in the slate levy ³. The average international product prices for petrol also decreased during this period ⁸.
• Diesel: A substantial increase was observed, with some predictions indicating a rise of more than R1 per litre ². This increase was attributed to higher international product prices and supply shortages, partly due to the Russia/Ukraine conflict and Russian diesel export restrictions ⁸.

September 2026 Forecast: Key Drivers and Predictions

The current outlook for September points towards further price hikes, primarily driven by international oil price volatility and the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate. A recent flare-up in the US-Iran war has contributed to higher global oil prices, putting upward pressure on South Africa's fuel costs ⁶.

Specific Forecasts for September 2026:

• Petrol 93: An increase of approximately 40 cents per litre (R0.40) is predicted ⁷.
• Petrol 95: An increase of around 51 cents per litre (R0.51) is expected ⁷.
• Diesel: Diesel prices are anticipated to see a significant jump, potentially exceeding R3 per litre ⁷.

These predictions are based on early warning signs of "under-recoveries" for both fuel types, meaning the current prices are lower than what they should be based on international market conditions ⁴. The weakening Rand against the US Dollar is also a contributing factor to the rising cost of imported fuel ⁷.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) is closely monitoring these developments, and final adjustments will be announced closer to the end of August 2026 ¹.