Exhibit 8

Pravin Gordhan Minister of Finance of the Republic of South Africa National Treasury Private Bag X115 Pretoria 0001 South Africa	Allen & Overy LLP 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York NY 10020 Tel                     212 610 6300                  Fax                     212 610 6399
Our ref             0106463-0000003 ICM:18605446.1
December 13, 2013

Republic of South Africa Registration Statement under Schedule B – Exhibit 8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special United States tax counsel for the Republic of South Africa in connection with the preparation of the registration statement under Schedule B (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) on the date hereof, of which the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) forms a part. The Registration Statement and Prospectus relate to the registration under the Securities Act of debt securities of the Republic of South Africa up to an aggregate initial offering price of U.S. $ 10,000,000,000 (the “Securities”).

As United States tax counsel, we have advised the Republic of South Africa with respect to certain general United States tax consequences of the proposed issuance of the Securities. This advice is summarized under the heading “United States Taxation” (the “Discussion”) in the Prospectus. We hereby confirm that the statements set forth in the Discussion represent our opinions as to the matters of law covered by them, subject to the qualifications stated therein.

We are aware that we are referred to in the Discussion in the Prospectus. We hereby consent to the reference to us in that section and the filing with the Commission of this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement without thereby implying or admitting that we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this exhibit.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Allen & Overy LLP

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