The South African rand softened on Friday, cooling off after strong gains in a week that saw interest rate cuts by both the U.S. Federal Reserve and the South African Reserve Bank, plus a local inflation print.

The rand gained Thursday morning ahead of a South African Reserve Bank interest rate decision, where the central bank is expected to deliver its first cut since July 2020.

The South African rand surged to its highest point since July after the Federal Reserve started cutting interest rates and as the country’s central bank prepares for its cut. The USD/ZAR exchange rate dropped to a low of 17.

The South African rand held onto early gains on Thursday following the South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) decision to cut interest rates for the first time in over four years, after a super-sized interest rate cut by the U.