The rand has recently mainly moved on global factors including the US stimulus plan, shrugging off a run of poor domestic data that points to lingering weakness in Africa's most industrialised economy.
The rouble was 1.2% weaker against the dollar at 74.78, earlier slipping to 74.9975.
Some investors were also taking profits after an emerging market currency rally this week, driven by hopes of a $1.9 trillion U.S fiscal stimulus package.
The Chinese yuan clung to modest gains in offshore trade at 6.4757 to the dollar ahead of a monthly interest rate fixing where traders expect no change in either one-year or five-year loan prime rates.