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The rand was trading at R10.2200 per dollar at 06:44 GMT, slightly firmer than a R10.2350 close in New York on Thursday.
Market players are waiting to hear whether a revised wage offer in the gold sector, where 80 000 workers have downed tools since Tuesday, could end the strike much sooner than expected.
The of Mineworkers said some workers had started going back to work from Thursday night, although details were sketchy.
However, the rand is still under pressure due to expectations the US Federal Reserve will announce the withdrawal of stimulus as its economy improves, a prospect that has already seen investors heavily selling emerging markets.
A wave of strikes, that has included the auto sector, is fuelling the sell-off and making South African assets more vulnerable than its emerging market peers.
US non-farm payrolls data is likely to support the view that the Fed will start reducing its monthly bond purchases.
Investors are expected to stay on the sidelines until after the 12:30 GMT release of the data.
"Dollar/rand remains little changed from Thursday's close, with players unlikely to test levels below 10.200 with the US NFP looming," said of Informa Global Markets.
The rand could be pushed out of its R10.3700-10.1550 range if the US data is firmer than expected.
Yields on government bonds were steady at 8.565% on the 2026 issue, with the shorter-dated 2015 note at 6.46%.
Treasury is looking to place R800m in consumer price index-linked bonds and R777bn in Treasury Bills in the session. Results of the sales are due at 09:00 and 10:00 GMT respectively.
