JOHANNESBURG - The conflict in the Middle East is also taking its toll on the Rand.
The currency was trading below R16 to the dollar before the missiles began flying.
On Wednesday, it was trading at around R16.45 to the dollar, around 3 percent weaker.
The Rand is seen as an exciting but somewhat risky bet, and investors generally move to safer assets in times of trouble.
That means the dollar has strengthened and the Rand has weakened.
The dollar is also being influenced by America’s status as the world’s biggest oil producer and expectations around interest rates.