South Africa's 10-year government bond yield climbed to 8.85%, its highest level since May 19, as investors positioned ahead of Thursday's South African Reserve Bank policy decision after stronger-than-expected inflation data fueled expectations of a larger interest rate hike. Annual inflation accelerated to 5.0% in June, the highest in two years, from 4.5% in May and above forecasts of 4.7%, driven mainly by higher transport and housing costs. Core inflation also rose to 4.1%, its highest reading since September 2024. While markets continue to expect the SARB to raise its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%, the latest inflation figures have revived expectations of a 50bp move. The central bank considered such an increase at its May meeting, and with inflation now exceeding the revised 4.0% upper bound of its 3% ±1 percentage point target range, the case for a more aggressive hike has strengthened.