The rand remained buoyant against major currencies in noon trade on Thursday while eyeing the interest rate announcement which has been brought forward to 12.30pm due to the public holiday on Friday, the SARB said earlier.

At 12.20pm the local unit was bid at 8.4381 against the greenback from its previous close of 8.4806.

The rand was bid at 11.2248 against the euro from its previous close of 11.2454.

Against sterling the rand was bid at 12.5406 from its previous close of 12.5332.

Gold was quoted $890.10 a troy ounce.