Rates this week: prime 10.50%, best savings 8.86% — 21 August 2026
Quick answer
As of 21 August 2026, the repo rate is 7.00%, prime is 10.50% and the best savings rate on Rateweb's board is 8.86% (unchanged on the week). A R1m 20-year bond at prime costs about R9,984/month.
Here is where South African rates stand at the end of this week, and what moved.
The board
| Rate | Now | This week |
|---|---|---|
| Repo rate | 7.00% | unchanged on the week |
| Prime lending rate | 10.50% | unchanged on the week |
| Best savings rate on our board | 8.86% | unchanged on the week |
| USD/ZAR | R16.06 | down 0.14 this week |
What prime means in rand
At prime of 10.50%, a R1 million bond over 20 years costs about R9,984 a month. Run your own numbers in the bond calculator (it prefills today's prime), or check what you qualify for with the qualification calculator.
Best savings rates right now
| Account | Nominal rate |
|---|---|
| GoTyme Bank Fixed Deposit & GoalSave | 8.86% |
| African Bank Fixed/Notice Deposit | 8.81% |
| RSA Retail Savings Bonds | 8.00% |
See the full list on our savings account comparison — rates are nominal and checked against provider sheets.
Make the week's rates work for you
Rate moves compound: a better savings rate this week is a bigger buffer next year. The savings calculator shows what your balance does at any rate, the TFSA calculator adds the tax-free angle, and members get rate moves in their daily brief.
Keep exploring on Rateweb
- Bond calculator — prefilled with today's prime
- Debt payoff planner — higher rates make this the first move
- Two-pot withdrawal calculator — what a withdrawal really pays out
- Tax-free savings comparison — the R46,000-a-year tax shelter
- TymeBank Is Now GoTyme: Fixed Deposit & GoalSave Rates Explained 2026
- Stokvel Accounts in South Africa: How Group Savings Banking Actually Works
- Old Mutual Tax-Free Savings Account Review 2026: How It Fits Your R46,000 Allowance
