At 0715 GMT, the rand traded at 15.1000 versus the dollar, 0.5pc stronger than its previous close.
The U.S. currency dropped amid mixed signals over whether the United States and China were making progress in resolving their trade dispute.
The South African rand is highly susceptible to swings in global market sentiment, as some investors use it as a proxy for emerging market risk.
Industrial output data is due later on Thursday, which will give clues about the health of the South African economy, which is Africa's most industrialised.
Business confidence data released on Wednesday rebounded, but economic growth has been weak.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange's Top-40 index was 0.2pc higher in early trade.