JOHANNESBURG - South African motorists are bracing for more intense pain at the pumps in April.
The global oil price jumped by 15% today to a four-year high.
And the expected impact on fuel prices has worsened.
If prices stay where they are, it could mean that petrol could jump by R5 or more per litre in early April.
Oil futures shot through $100 overnight and even reached $118 per barrel on Monday.
The price has pulled back but it's still above $100.
READ | Iran targets Gulf energy installations as oil prices surge
For most of February the oil price was hovering around $70 per barrel.
But it all changed when the US and Israel launched an offensive against Iran on Saturday 28 February.
This saw the oil price touch $90 at the end of last week and $100 overnight.
The total increase since the conflict began is above 30%.
Much of the world's oil is transported through the Strait of Hormuz but - for the first time in history - traffic has basically stopped.
READ | Stocks fluctuate, oil climbs as Mideast crisis rages
Iraq and Kuwait have pulled back on production because they will now have to keep the oil in country for longer.
A drone attack on a refinery in Bahrain has also raised concern about refining capabilities.
Tseliso Maqubela from the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Department said they remain concerned over the pricing but assured that in terms of supply everything remains manageable.
He said in the last 24 hours there have been developments. Among those is the exemption that has been given to India to start importing Russian crude oil.
This Maqubele believes may somewhat lower the prices.
Meanwhile, the Motor Industry Staff Association has called for more transparency in fuel pricing.