Trevor Fisher Jnr is in pole position to continue the home dominance of the Africa Open after a brilliant 63 gave him a two-shot lead over England's Matt Ford at East London Golf Club in South Africa.
South Africans have won the tournament every year since its inception in 2010 and Fisher Jnr, who was fourth in that inaugural event, could continue that trend after moving to 16 under par with seven birdies and an eagle.
Damien McGrane and Darren Clarke are both down the field on four under after carding 70 and 72 respectively, while Kevin Phelan shot 74 and is a further shot back on three-under-par.
Fisher Jnr said: "I played solid, but didn't expect a 63 in such tough conditions," said Fisher Jnr, who defied the windy conditions to shoot a flawless round which featured five birdies in the last eight holes.
"I'm delighted with my round today. My up and down on the first hole was a great starter and then I made eagle on the third after sinking a long putt."
On his approach to his final round, he added: "I'll play my own game and take it shot for shot. I'll try not to get ahead of myself too much, because that is the challenge in itself when you're leading an event. I'll put my head down and try tomorrow."
Overnight leader Ford extended his advantage to three shots with birdies at the second, third and seventh, only to run up a double bogey on the eighth.
"I felt the pressure of leading and the last group, but it was good experience" - Matt Ford
Birdies on the 10th, 12th and 13th kept Ford's nose in front until a bogey on the 14th allowed Fisher Jnr to take over at the top of the leaderboard with a birdie on the 16th.
Ford, who was set to work for a post office job last winter until coming through November's European Tour qualifying school at the 10th attempt, recorded a 69 to finish 14 under, two ahead of South African Jaco van Zyl.
"I hit a couple of poor shots but stuck to my routines and that helped me bounce back," Ford said. "I felt the pressure of leading and the last group, but it was good experience.
"I try to keep myself relaxed and patient out there. You have to take the positives out and try to finish it off. All of the good work could be pointless if I don't play well tomorrow, because it's a four-round tournament."
Van Zyl was joint second in the Joburg Open last week and continued his excellent form with a 68 to lie third, two shots ahead of Denmark's Morten Orum Madsen, England's John Parry and Spanish pair Eduardo de la Riva and Jorge Campillo.
"I got off to a flying start - three-under after three holes - and thought 'Here we go'," Van Zyl said. "I hit it close on the fourth and then missed and then made bogey at the ninth, which put a dampener on things. I got things rolling again, but couldn't quite convert my opportunities."
