The South African currency was on course for a fall of around 0.8pc for the week after dropping 1pc against the US dollar to 14.1900.

In fixed income, the yield on the benchmark government bond due in 2026 added 9.5 basis points to 8.170pc.

On the bourse, the benchmark JSE Top-40 Index fell 0.4pc to 51,539 points, while the broader All-Share Index dropped 0.4pc to 57,590 points.

Bullion shares fell 1.72pc, with Gold Fields down 2.27pc to 71.93 rand and AngloGold Ashanti dropped 2.08pc to 378.80 rand.

Iron Ore supplier Kumba Iron Ore, was among the biggest fallers, down 7.34pc to 471.68 rand.

"General commodity prices have come lower mainly due to concerns within the iron ore space that is why we saw single commodity counters like Kumba taking a big knock today," said Paul Chakaduka, a trader at Johannesburg-based Global Trader.

Drugmaker Aspen Pharmacare, was among the fallers, down 4.89pc to 99.64 rand after it said it had terminated talks with a potential partner in Europe.