The leader of South Africa’s second-biggest party has said it will back Cyril Ramaphosa for president – almost guaranteeing he will be elected for a second term.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said his party has now formally signed a coalition agreement with Mr Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC), and part of the agreement stipulates that Mr Ramaphosa will be President.

Legislators are due to elect a president later on Friday and the ANC and DA together have a majority that would see Mr Ramaphosa return for a second term.

If Mr Ramaphosa is the only candidate nominated, he would be elected automatically without the need for a vote.