Overnight leader Anthony Michael made a superb start to his second round at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, birdieing his first two holes to move two shots clear at the top of the leaderboard in Malelane.
The South African, who carded a six under par 66 on day one, moved to eight under overall after he picked up shots on the tenth and 11th, both par fours, with the 25 year old starting on the back nine.
It allowed him to pick up where he left off and stay ahead of the chasing pack where countrymen Dawie Van der Walt and Alex Haindl, as well as Norwegian Marius Thorp, were all on six under after 16, 12 and 15 holes respectively.
Haindl was particularly impressive, storming to five under for the day after recording two eagles and a birdie with six holes to play.
Six players were further back on five under, all of whom had completed their rounds at the Leopard Creek Country Club.
Defending champion Pablo Martin went around in 70 to go with his opening 69, while Scott Jamieson from Scotland and Englishman Neil Cheetham carded four under rounds of 68 to keep alive their hopes of victory.
Joining them was South African Keith Horne after his one under 71, while another Englishman Robert Rock and German Sebastian Buhl were also on five under overall, but yet to begin their second 18 holes.
From the trio of high-profile home-favourites, Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen carded a much better 71 after his 76 on day one of the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event, the first of the 2011 Race to Dubai.
That left him on three over par overall, though, and still in danger of missing the cut for the fifth year in succession.
Charl Schwartzel also looked to be heading in the right direction and was on two under through 15 - four under overall after a 70 on day one - while 2008 winner Richard Sterne was yet to tee off.
