At 1523 GMT, the rand traded at 19.2375 against the dollar, about 0.8% weaker than its previous close.
The dollar index was last trading up 0.1% against a basket of currencies.
The rand, like most emerging market currencies, takes direction from the dollar when there are no clear domestic indicators.
South African investors will turn their focus towards a slew of economic data releases on Thursday with money supply, producer price inflation, trade and budget balance figures due.
On the stock market, the Top-40 index closed down 1.4% while the broader all-share was 1.3% weaker.
South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was slightly stronger, with the yield down 1 basis point to 10.190%.
(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya and Nellie Peyton; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Sharon Singleton)
