Shaun Norris will take a commanding four-shot lead into the final round of the Joburg Open as he looks to secure his second home victory of the 2025 season.
Norris began the day with a one-stroke lead and still held that narrow advantage at the turn after an eventful front nine which saw the South African make a double bogey and three birdies.
But a lightning-quick start to the homeward nine took the 42-year-old three shots clear, and although he bogeyed the 15th, a double bogey from playing partner Adrien Saddier on the same hole extended Norris' lead to four with three holes remaining.
And he safely parred all three of them to remain in pole position to add to the Alfred Dunhill Championship crown he won in December and claim a third DP World Tour title in total on Sunday.
Norris, whose stunning form at Houghton Golf Club this week is made even more impressive by the fact he has been battling an ear infection, carded a third-round 67 to get to 14 under par.
Frenchman Saddier and home favourite Jacques Kruyswijk were in a tie for second on ten under after posting rounds of 70 and 68 respectively.
Kruyswijk produced a strong shot-of-the-day contender on the tenth as he span his wedge shot into the hole for a memorable eagle.
Midway leader Norris began his third round with an early statement of intent, almost holing his approach shot at the first hole before tapping in the birdie putt to increase his advantage to two shots.
But he got into bunker trouble at the third and surrendered the outright lead after making a double bogey.
He bounced back immediately, though, holing from around ten feet for a birdie on the fourth before making it two in a row with a good up-and-down on the par-five fifth.
Five straight pars followed before Norris trickled in his 18-foot putt from just off the 11th green for his next birdie to go two shots in front once more.
He followed that up with a ten-foot birdie on the 12th and moved three clear when he drained his slick 30-foot birdie putt on the 14th to get to 15 under.
Norris gave the shot straight back at the 15th after narrowly missing his lengthy par putt but found himself even further clear at the summit as his nearest challenger slipped backwards.
Despite having to battle hard at times, the home hope parred his way home to take a huge lead into the fourth round.
Norris said: "I hit the ball nicely and gave myself some good chances. Overall I can't complain about the round.
"I'm pretty happy with where my game is at the moment, I'm hitting the ball nicely.
"It's always nice (to have a four-shot lead) but I want to win by ten so let's keep going!
"Nothing's changing tomorrow. I'll carry on doing exactly what I've been doing the last couple of days."
