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The Department of Health said 60 more people died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the toll in the country to 908.
Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, said on Friday that the number of confirmed cases had increased to 43,434, of which 23,088 people had recovered.
This was a recovery rate of 53.2%.
There are 5 240 cases in the Eastern Cape, with 95 deaths.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa said it was difficult to determine when the ban on the sale of cigarettes would be lifted.
He said that the progression of the Covid-19 pandemic and further information about the nature of the virus would play a role in the government's decision.
His remarks came in a written reply to a parliamentary question by DA-MP, Dean Macpherson.
Ramaphosa said the lifting of the ban on the sale of tobacco and related products would also depend on factors such as the readiness of the health systems and evolving knowledge on the nature and impact of the virus itself.
The president's response was dated 22 May but only submitted to the DA on Friday.
