South African Branden Grace raced out to a four-shot lead after the second round of the Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt.
Grace, who picked up his maiden European Tour victory at last week's Joburg Open, continued his good form on Friday, shooting a seven-under-par 66 to reach 12 under par and lead compatriot Thomas Aiken, who shot a 70, and England's Lee Slattery, whose 65 was the best round of the day, by four shots.
Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal, ranked 596th in the world, was in fourth a further shot back after rounds of 71 and 68, signaling a rare return to form for the two-time Masters champion.
Overnight leader Nicolas Colsaerts slumped to a disappointing 76 to lie in fifth alongside Raphael Jacquelin, Louis Oosthuizen, Paul Lawrie, Hennie Otto, Alexander Noren and Retief Goosen.
Only last month 23-year-old Grace was at The European Tour Qualifying School in Spain, but he came through that six-day ordeal in joint tenth place and has been flying ever since.
"I'm just really enjoying it out there," he said after grabbing eight birdies.
"I've been really, really relaxed. I'm just trying to stick to my game plan, try to do what I do and mind my own business.
"It's probably my favourite course in the world and coming back here is a fabulous feeling - especially playing well.
"It would be nice to keep the nerves down - just play golf and enjoy it - the same as last week," he added.
Slattery feared he would be at Qualifying School as well - in his case for the ninth time - until he won the Bankia Madrid Masters in October.
"Winning certainly gives you belief," said the 33-year-old Englishman after picking up an amazing ten birdies just as Colsaerts had done in the opening round.
"That's probably my best round out there, one I'm going to remember for the rest of my life."
Olazábal was pleased to show signs of the form that brought him two Green Jackets before a series of injury problems, as the Spaniard targets his first victory for seven years on Sunday.
"I think the last couple of years I've played pretty poorly, so improving that, it was not all that difficult," said the 45 year old.
Aiken has an added reason for wanting to come out on top - he is on a campaign to help save the rhino and the more publicity (and money) he can get the better.
"I've started my own charity," he said. "It's disgusting what's happening. We've got a war going on.
"Rhino horns are being valued at a million dollars. We've got tractors on the grounds, roadblocks and help from the Air Force because they are shooting them from helicopters now.
"We've got about six years left until they are extinct and if we hang around too long we are going to be too late."
Elsewhere, the two current major champions in the field - Open champion Darren Clarke and Masters champion Charl Schwartzel - were on four-under 142.
Clarke carded a five-under 68, while Schwartzel eagled 18 to sign for a 67 as his putting finally seemed to come back to him.
golf365.com