Rising oil prices threaten early June fuel savings as South African motorists brace for possible cost reversal
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Rising oil prices threaten early June fuel savings as South African motorists brace for possible cost reversal

Just a week or two ago, motorists in South Africa were breathing a sigh of relief as fuel prices dipped quite nicely.

But as we inch closer to June, the good news may not stick around for long.

With just under three weeks to go before the official fuel price adjustment kicks in, recent shifts in global oil prices are already muddying the waters.

The rand has held steady, but Brent crude oil prices are creeping up again—something that could throw a spanner in the works for the next fuel price forecast.

What’s Happening with Petrol and Diesel Right Now?

Earlier this May, South African drivers caught a bit of a break when petrol and diesel prices dropped—thanks to a stronger rand and cheaper oil on the global market at the time.

Here’s what those mid-May projections from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) are currently showing:

  • Petrol 93: down by 30 cents

  • Petrol 95: down by 30 cents

  • Diesel 0.05%: down by 60 cents

  • Diesel 0.005%: down by 61 cents

  • Illuminating Paraffin: down by 63 cents

Of course, these projections are based on market data from earlier in the month.

If global oil prices keep rising, those expected savings could shrink—or even disappear—before we reach June.

Two Main Factors Always Drive South Africa’s Fuel Prices

Whether you’re filling up in Joburg or Cape Town, two big things influence the cost of fuel here in Mzansi:

  1. The international price of petroleum products, which mostly depends on how oil prices behave.

  2. The rand-to-dollar exchange rate, which affects how much we pay for imported fuel.

Right now, oil prices are heading upward again, with Brent crude sitting at $64.08 per barrel. Meanwhile, the exchange rate is hovering around R18.25 to the dollar, which isn’t moving much—good news for now, but that can always change quickly.

Current Fuel Prices in May 2025

Here’s a quick look at what you’re paying at the pump across South Africa this month.

Inland (e.g. Gauteng):

  • Petrol 93: R21.29

  • Petrol 95: R21.40

  • Diesel 0.05%: R18.90

  • Diesel 0.005%: R18.94

  • Paraffin: R13.05

Coastal (e.g. Durban, Cape Town):

  • Petrol 93: R20.50

  • Petrol 95: R20.61

  • Diesel 0.05%: R18.11

  • Diesel 0.005%: R18.18

  • Paraffin: R12.05

Final Fuel Price Update Coming Soon

If you’re planning your budget for next month, keep an eye on early June.

That’s when the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy will confirm the final prices, which are expected to take effect at midnight on Tuesday, 3 June 2025.

Until then, maybe go easy on those long drives and take it slow on the accelerator—because even though prices are looking better for now, they’re not locked in just yet.