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The Department of Environmental Affairs says the number of rhinos poached since the start of the year has climbed to 82.
It says Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit, having lost 61 rhinos to mostly foreign poachers in since 1 January.
Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, says she's concerned at the increase in rhino poaching.
However, she's confident that SA National Parks is on the verge of a turnaround given the initiatives presently being implemented against rhino poaching.
"In the upcoming CITES meeting, the Minister plans to engage with the regional groupings on the issue of rhino poaching," the Department said.
"She will give further details closer to the meeting that will be held in March 2013. On the 22nd February, the Minister is meeting her Mozambican counterpart in a follow up meeting to last year's engagement on the rhino safety and security co-operation."
Minister Molewa has also welcomed the recently announced signing of a declaration by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, banning the import of all white and black rhino specimens.
"The South African government welcomes the announcement by the Government of Vietnam that the prohibition on the export, import and trade of specimens of rhino will come into effect," said Minister Molewa.
