LONDON (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) March 23, 2000--The Republic of South Africa's new US$750 million bonds due May 2009, fungible with US$500 million bonds issued in May 1999, are rated triple-'B'-minus by Standard&Poor's. Today's sale was increased to US$750 million from an originally planned issue of US$500 million. For further details see Standard&Poor's earlier press release from March 23, 2000. -- CreditWire