Tapio Pulkkanen produced a stunning birdie blitz to jump into the lead early on day two of the Joburg Open at Randpark Golf Club.
The 2017 Road to Oman winner had finished his first round over the Bushwillow Course with two birdies and he carried that momentum onto the Firethorn, starting with six in a row to turn in 30 and get to 12 under.
The Finn missed his first cut as a European Tour regular at the UBS Hong Kong Open but he was in no danger of that in Johannesburg, as low scoring continued to be the order of the day for the field of 240 over the two rain-softened layouts.
Home favourite Erik van Rooyen also made a fast start with four birdies in a row but he bogeyed the sixth to sit at ten under after 11 holes.
Another South African in Ockie Strydom was then at nine under after making birdies on the third and fifth in his first nine holes.
All of the top six were playing Firethorn - which will be the course used over the weekend - and England's Daniel Brooks was making a move with birdies on the first, third, fourth and ninth but a bogey on the eighth to get to eight under.
Countryman James Morrison had birdies on the fourth and sixth but a bogey on the third to also sit at eight under after 11 holes alongside overnight leader Keenan Davidse, who was yet to tee off.
Norwegian Kristian Krogh Johannessen was five under after eight holes to sit at seven under with late starter Matthew Baldwin, a shot clear of Frenchman Romain Langasque and German Sebastian Heisele.
The rest of the players at six under had yet to begin their rounds.
