Sven Struver fired a second successive 67 to secure a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the South African Open at Stellenbosch yesterday.

Struver is on an eight-under-par 36-hole total of 134, with England's John Bickerton lying three shots back in second after a 66.

Five players, including Paul McGinley, are sharing third place on 138. Along with the Dubliner are American Scott Dunlap, whose 65 was the best round of the day, South Africa's David Frost and Clinton Whitelaw, and England's Mark Roe.

Nick Faldo, who failed to make the cut in last week's Alfred Dunhill PGA in Johannesburg, added a fighting par 71 to his overnight 70 to remain in contention.

Bickerton made a late charge in blazing heat on the tough, par 71 course to record a bogey-free round of one eagle and three birdies, as most others in the field of 157 wilted.

Struver, who last won in South Africa when he clinched the Alfred Dunhill PGA in 1996, said his putting - including a 45-footer on the third and a 15-footer on the 15th - had helped him to the top of the leaderboard.

"It's just halftime at the moment," he said after his up-and-down round that included seven birdies and three bogeys. "Anything can happen really quickly on this golf course. I played all right and had a good putter.

"My irons have not been too good but if you putt well on this course, you score." Struver's fellow overnight leaders, American Ronnie McCann and England's Ian Garbutt, both fell by the wayside, Garbutt holing out in 72 and McCann in 75.

Defending champion Ernie Els, who was on level par overnight, disappointed the large gallery when he shot a 70 to be one-under going into today's third round.

"I didn't play as I wanted to but this isn't an easy course," said Els. "You can shoot high numbers if you are not careful. But you can't complain if you are under par. I'm hanging in there."

McGinley said: "Any score under par is good here. Narrow fairways and small greens which are getting very firm make it more difficult. It is two shots tougher in the afternoon."

Faldo, the crowd favourite once Els had returned to the clubhouse, was given some lessons earlier in the week by Robert Baker, Els' coach. While he accepted that more work was needed, he was satisfied with his performance so far.

"I'm starting to get more solid but I still have to get some more birdies. I just have to keep working on that."

Seventy-seven players made the cut at four-over 146.