Defending champion Pablo Martin made the perfect start to his final round to snatch the lead from Anthony Michael at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

The Spaniard burst out of the blocks with a birdie at the first and an eagle at the par five second to race to 12 under par for the week.

And while South African rookie Michael - who has led after all three rounds so far - managed a birdie of his own at the second, he could only par the next and dropped a shot at the 448 yard third.

That left him two shots off the pace, with compatriot Dawie Van Der Walt a further shot back.

Charl Schwartzel was one under through four to be eight under - four off the pace - while Robert Rock and Thomas Aiken both made some promising headway early on to reach seven under.