At 0620 GMT, the rand traded at 18.9450 to the dollar, down about 0.1% on its previous close.

The benchmark 2030 government bond was flat.

Thursday's data releases include the February Producer Price Index (PPI), February budget balance and February trade statistics.

The country's central bank will also publish its quarterly bulletin, shedding light on foreign direct investment flows in the final three months of last year.

Early on Thursday, central bank data showed private sector credit extension picked up slightly in February, to 3.32% in year-on-year terms.

(Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)