South Africa's net reserves rise to $45.588 billion in August

Twenty four karat gold bars are seen at the United States West Point Mint facility in West Point, New York June 5, 2013. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's net gold and foreign exchange reserves rose in August to $45.588 billion from $45.176 billion rand in July, data from the Reserve Bank showed on Friday. Gross reserves climbed more than expected to $47.947 billion from $47.319 billion in July while the forward position, which represents the bank's unsettled spot or swap transactions, decreased to $4.009 billion.