Spain´s Pablo Martin has already withstood a few strong charges on his lead early in the third round of the South African Open at Pearl Valley Golf Estates on Saturday.

Martin climbed to 12 under par with his first birdie of the round on the third hole. But behind him Italian Edoardo Molinari birdied three of his first five holes to become a serious contender on 10 under.

And with another Spaniard in Alejandro Canizares well placed at nine under, moving day has begun in earnest.

Former champion James Kingston hasn´t been given the wind he would´ve liked for the third round. But it hasn´t stopped him from making a move with two birdies in the first five holes, placing him on eight under.

Louis Oosthuizen and Anders Hansen were also on eight under on their first nines. Young South African George Coetzee surged to seven under with three birdies in his first three holes on his way to a front nine of 32.

In perfect conditions at Pearl Valley, Richard Bland gave a glimpse of the kind of golf to expect when he posted a 66, despite a double bogey, earlier today for a total of five under par.