The case has been brought by a number of church groups claiming the laws on abortion are unconstitutional.

Correspondents say the move has worried pregnant women intending to have abortions because they are concerned that even if the case is ultimately lost, the court may agree to a request for an interim judgement temporarily suspending abortions nation-wide.

The case revolves around the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, one of the most controversial laws passed since the ANC government came to power in 1994.

The act permits abortion on request for women and girls of all ages during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and allows for abortion for a further eight weeks under stipulated limitations.

Radical act

Those who are fighting to get it scrapped say it cuts across the constitutional right to life.

Since the act was adopted in February last year, nearly 30,000 South African women have had abortions.

Before then only about 1,000 women a year qualified for legal abortions, which were allowed only under special circumstances such as incest, rape or danger to the mother's life.