Reitan led from day one and was comfortably ahead of the field on Saturday, but had dismal finish on the 18th, playing a double-bogey six on the final hole.

It came after a significant weather delay, with lightning and a storm forcing the players into the clubhouse late in the afternoon and with Reitan still to complete three holes.

“I’m disappointed with the finish on 18. The weather delay was tricky, and also I watched Arsenal lose in the Player’s Lounge which didn’t put me in a great mood. But overall I’m happy with my performance. The final round is 18 new holes and I’m looking forward to starting fresh.”  

Conversely Schaper, who is making his debut in this tournament, had a fantastic final five holes, closing with three birdies.

“You grow up watching this event, and when we used to come here you were always staying in hotels with the players and seeing them. This is always an event that I wanted to play in. 

“It’s been a lot of hard work to get here, and today was such a cool experience with a lot of support out there from my family and friends,” he said after the day’s play.

Another South African, Christiaan Bezuidenhout is on ten under par and is also chasing a first South African victory in this event since 2017.  He shares third place with England’s Dan Bradbury.

South African hopeful Garick Higgo, who went into the weekend on seven under par in fifth, have slipped back into 11th position and will start on Sunday at eight under.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg