South African property groups are poised to pour more money into Australia's crippled listed real estate sector.

South African interests have already invested more than A$400m in two trusts, joining institutions from Asia and Europe, particularly German pension funds, circling the local commercial property market.

In the past 12 months, Singapore's GIC has invested in the GPT Group, while German investors have bought office blocks in capital cities.

This week, South Africa's largest property trust, Growthpoint Properties, became the second South African company to invest in Australia, agreeing to inject A$200m into the Melbourne-based Orchard Industrial Fund.

The Australian