The chasing pack made the most of early ideal scoring conditions as the field looked to catch overnight leader Chris Paisley during the final round of the BMW SA Open Championship Proudly hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni.
The Englishman, who is searching for his maiden European Tour title, took a one-shot lead after a composed two-under par 70 to finish the third round at 15 under.
Home favourite Branden Grace produced a stunning back nine, where he carded five birdies, to sign for a six under 66 for sole second at 14 under as he aims to become only the second player to secure South Africa's three most prestigious events, behind player host Ernie Els.
With the top 10 on the leaderboard still in the clubhouse, South African George Coetzee and Sweden's Jens Dantorp both carded a six under 66 to end their tournament with a flourish.
Coetzee began his round with an opening bogey but regained the stroke at the second before holing another birdie at the eighth to turn in one under.
The three-time European Tour winner picked up another shot at the 11th before four successive birdies from the 14th saw the World Number 134 sign for two-under par for the tournament.
Els was one-over par through 10 holes, while former Ryder Cup player Jamie Donaldson, who recorded the first hole-in-one of 2018, was three under after 12 holes for the round.
Dantorp, who started the final round on level par, recorded three birdies and three pars in a colourful front nine but a stellar final nine holes carded four gains and an eagle at the par five 15th.
