Next best is pre-tournament favourite Dylan Frittelli who is three-over par for the tournament and, like Nortje and most of the leaders, still has nine holes of the third round to complete.

Of those who have completed their third rounds, performer of the day was Western Province's AndrČ de Decker who shot an impressive three-under 70, despite the pink cowboy hat that he chose to keep the George sunshine from his face.

His six-over aggregate puts him in the top 10, along with Chris Lloyd and Tom Lewis of England and Luke Lennox and Alan Dunbar of Ireland.

Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation member Wehmeyer Ferreira, who started the day just one shot off the pace, struggled a little over the first nine holes and has dropped five shots behind.

Also still right in the tournament is 13-year-old Haydn Pretorius from Johannesburg who is in joint fourth on five-over par.

In the girls' competition, the tournament has turned into the expected two-horse race between Bertine Strauss and Monique Smit, with the latter five shots ahead after three rounds. Next best is Connie Chen of Waterkloof Golf Club who is a further two shots behind.

The third round will be completed early on Thursday with the final round commencing immediately thereafter.

Because the field will be cut to top 30 and ties for the boys and top nine and ties for the girls, it is expected that the final round will be completed as planned in the afternoon.