Matt Ford doubled his overnight one shot advantage at the Africa Open early in his third round at East London Golf Club.
Having passed up the opportunity of a birdie on the first, the Englishman produced a fine putt to collect a shot on the next.
The 36 year old’s lead was halved by Jaco van Zyl’s early charge, but Ford - who faced the prospect of working as a postman until he advanced through November's Qualifying School at the tenth attempt - responded with another gain on the third to move to 13 under.
Van Zyl, tied for second at last week’s Joburg Open, and Trevor Fisher Jnr were keeping South Africa’s quest for a sixth consecutive winner at this event alive, sitting two shots off the pace alongside Eduardo de la Riva.
De le Riva, starting the day one behind playing partner Ford, made a mixed start, rescuing par after finding the trees on the first before dropping a shot on the next.
However, the Spaniard bounced back with gains at the third and sixth to stay in contention.
Mortem Orum Madsen was one of three players one shot further back after taking advantage of an early start to produce a brilliant eight under par 64.
The Dane would have moved level with Ford on his overnight 11 under had he not dropped a shot the ninth.
Englishman John Parry and German Maximilian Kieffer were also sat on 10 under.
