The South African National Blood Service on Wednesday appealed to South Africans to donate blood as it is experiencing shortages countrywide.

"SANBS would like to urge eligible blood donors to approach their local blood donor clinics to give blood and save lives of those in dire need of it," spokesperson Justice Mohale said.

"We are appealing to all regular blood donors, especially the Group O blood type to urgently come forward in their numbers to give blood."

Mohale said the blood bank had only one day's supply of stock, a situation he attributed to the holiday period. - Sapa