Els seeks back-to-back victories

The honeymoon is far from over for the newly-married Ernie Els as he goes in search of back-to-back wins on the Southern Africa Tour when the Mercedes-Benz - Vodacom South African Open tees off in Stellenbosch on Thursday.

After winning his third Alfred Dunhill PGA title by a comfortable four shots last week, earning the praise of president Nelson Mandela, Els is the overwhelming favourite to make it two-in-a-row this week.

The "Big Easy" is now clearly over the back problems which plagued him towards the middle of last year, and will be striving to become the first player in over 20 years to successfully defend an S.A. Open title.

Also in the field are England's Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer of Germany.

For Faldo, erasing the memory of a dismal start to the year, which saw the six-time Major champion missing the first cut of the European season by six shots last week, will be a priority.

The 41-year-old was described by playing partner Mark McNulty as playing "some rank 24-handicap shots" during his two rounds of 77 and 76. Faldo said he had no intention of withdrawing from the second European co-sanctioned event on the Southern Africa Tour despite playing so badly.

But the once steely stare of a supremely confident player was sorely lacking last week as he admitted after the second round, "There are no surprises anymore, just disappointments".

The resurrection of Faldo's game is a far cry from the current form of Els, who believes he is quite capable of regaining the number one spot on the world rankings which he held for two months in 1998.

As the world No. 4 hunts his fourth S.A. Open title, a lack of confidence in his short game will be Els' main concern around a par-71 Stellenbosch Golf Club course which will be playing long with punishing kikuyu rough.

David Frost, also in the field and Els' Alfred Dunhill Cup team-mate, returns to the course he learnt his game on and where he won the South African Masters in 1987.

Frost finished joint third in last week's S.A. PGA, closing with a low 66 in the final round after a swing tip from his brother Sam the night before.

Other big names in the field include Germany's Ryder Cup star Thomas Bjorn, Swede Per-Ulrik Johansson as well as former champions Tony Johnstone of Zimbabwe and South Africa's Wayne Westner.