Omar Sandys opens a two shot lead - Alfred Dunhill Championship 2007

South African Omar Sandys fired a second successive four-under-par 68 to take a two-stroke lead after the Dunhill Championship second round on Friday.

Britain's Lee Slattery (65) produced the best round of the day to move into second place on six-under 138 while world number five Ernie Els (69) was among a group of six players a further shot adrift on 139.

Sandys capped his display with a birdie at the par-five 18th after reaching the island green in two.

He carded one birdie on the front nine but made inroads on par at the 12th, 13th and 15th before a three-putt bogey on the 16th momentarily halted his momentum.

Sandys, who has recorded one win on the Sunshine Tour in 171 tournaments and made the cut in only two European Tour events, smiled his way round the Leopard Creek course but acknowledged he was nervous.

"I started to relax after the first two holes but I got nervous again after the turn," the South African told reporters.

"I must just trust myself, pick up my birdies and stay away from bogeys."

Slattery, who gave up golf in 2002 to work in a clothes store before returning to win the 2004 Challenge Tour, revelled in the gusty winds and occasional drizzle.

"Having grown up on a links course, the conditions today definitely helped me," said the Englishman.

"It just felt effortless today. I was swinging nicely and it was the best I've hit the ball from tee-to-green for a long time."

Slattery and Sandys will be wary of Els's challenge over the weekend.

"I played really well and I'm happy with my all-round game," said Els. "I'm looking forward to the weekend and being three behind is fine.

"Even five behind would be fine, I'm playing well enough."

Britain's Darren Clarke was in a tie for 15th place after a 69 left him two under overall at the tournament co-sanctioned by the European and Sunshine tours.