Matt Ford’s three shot lead at the Africa Open was cut to one as Eduardo de la Riva matched the Englishman’s second round six under par 66 at East London Golf Club.
In less blustery conditions to the opening day in South Africa, Ford moved to 11 under courtesy of six birdies and an eagle.
The 36 year old, locked on five under overnight with Kevin Phelan, failed to replicate his flawless first round, though, suffering bogies on the ninth and 17th.
Ford, who was about to spend a winter working for Royal Mail before coming through November's Qualifying School at the tenth attempt, said: "I don’t think you can ever get all of it out of the round.
"I missed a short one on 17 and hit a poor tee shot off nine, so those were a couple of mistakes, but you’re always going to make a few of those. I would have taken 11-under at the beginning of the day."
De la Riva started on the ninth and began with two dropped shots in his first three holes before eight gains boosted his cause.
"I played a very good round today with good golf and good putts. I am very happy with the first two rounds," the Spaniard said.
South Africa have provided all five previous winners of this event and four home players sit inside the top eight on the leaderboard, Jaco van Zyl leading the way on eight under.
Van Zyl, tied for second at last week’s Joburg Open, continued his fine form by replicating Ford and De la Riva’s 66, collecting five birdies and an eagle on the third.
He said: "Yesterday was really tough out there and I was very chuffed to pull two-under out of it. I got it a lot easier this morning and when that happens you try to capitalise."
Compatriots Neil Schietekat and Trevor Fisher Jnr were one shot further back alongside Maximilian Kieffer, who produced the round of the day so far.
After dropping a shot on his first, the ninth, the German collected eight birdies and an eagle to shoot an impressive nine under par 63.
That trumped Craig Lee after the Scot completed the front nine in 30 en route to an eight under par 64.
South African Dean Burmester and South Korean Byeong-hun An were five shots off the pace, the latter carding a flawless seven under 65 that contained two eagles, on the third and 16th.
