South African Charl Schwartzel is on course to win his own national open after carding a third round 69 to claim a one-stroke lead in Johannesburg.
The 29-year-old, who was tied for the lead overnight, offset five birdies with a brace of bogeys to secure a slender advantage over two European pros.
Schwartzel, the world No 22, is one of only two players inside the top 100 teeing-up at Glendower this week, and on Sunday will partner Dane Morten Orum Madsen in the concluding round.
Madsen, ranked 244, is tied for second following a 69, while Italian Marco Crespi is also a single stroke adrift after a 70.
Schwartzel remarked: "It was a bit up and down but I think I did what I needed to do.
"You always think some things could have been done better."
Otto on the charge
Also well placed is 2011 champion Hennie Otto who conjured up the round of the day.
The burly South African has fired consecutive rounds of 66 and 65 and, on Saturday afternoon, endured mixed bag.
An eagle three at the second was more than wiped out by a triple-bogey seven at the ninth.
But Otto's calamitous finish to the front nine did not deter the 37-year-old from Boksburg who came home in 29 shots thanks to seven birdies in his final eight holes.
The brilliant back nine burst left the former winner just two behind Schwartzel who is seeking to become the 15th home player to lift the trophy in the last 20 stagings of the South African Open.
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