South Africa's inflation rate rose for the second month in a row in December but by less than expected, with analysts saying the central bank was still likely to deliver another interest rate cut next week.

Inflation came in lower than expected for December, with another interest rate cut next week now seen as likely.

Consumer prices rose 3% from a year earlier, compared with 2.9% in the prior month, Pretoria-based Statistics South Africa said

South Africa's headline consumer inflation rose less than expected in December, to 3.0% year on year from 2.9% in November, data from the statistics agency showed on Wednesday. In month-on-month terms inflation was at 0.