Andrew McLardy leads with opening 63

McLardy eagled two of the last four holes on the back nine to come home in 29 for a nine-under-par 63 on the West course, although Italian Edoardo Molinari had the round of the day with a brilliant 64 on the tougher East course.

South Africans Warren Abery and Mark Murless were tied for second with Molinari, both shooting 64s on the West course.

Eight golfers had 65s, including Germany's Sven Struver and South African Hennie Otto, who both played the East course.

Home town favourite Charl Schwartzel, the highest ranked player in the field, remained in touch with the leaders after shooting a 69, as did Englishman Gary Lockerbie.

"I played very well, I pretty much hit every green," Molinari told reporters. "I birdied the last two holes which was a very good way to finish, even though both those holes were downwind today and not that tough."

The 2005 U.S. Amateur champion can look forward to playing on the West course on Friday, which several golfers have rated as three or four strokes easier than the East layout.

"I don't think there are that many shots difference. The West greens are more difficult and it is tighter off the tee. You still have to play well, it's not a pitch-and-putt course.

"But if I can get a few shots under par there tomorrow then I can go into the weekend with confidence," Molinari said.

McLardy dropped just one shot, on the par-three fifth, and eagled the par-five 15th and 18th to add to his six birdies.

The 32-year-old made a fast start with birdies at the first two holes but then scrambled through the next seven holes as he struggled with his driver.

"I was snap-hooking everything so I changed my rhythm on the back nine, not swinging so quickly, and that got me into much better positions," McLardy said.

Otto, a multiple winner on the Sunshine Tour, established himself as a contender with his bogey-free round of 65, which was kick-started with an eagle on the par-five sixth.

"I was definitely troubled by the swirling wind on the first four or five holes, but I've played well before on this course, even though it doesn't give you many birdies," Otto said.

"I've also been troubled by my back recently, but by having a good rest over Christmas I've been able to start fresh and play around it."

Struver, looking to rekindle his successes of the mid-1990s on the European Tour, birdied the 15th, 16th and 17th holes and then eagled the par-five 18th to charge home in 31 strokes, leaving him with a 65 as well.