François Calmels produced a superb seven under par 63 to grab the clubhouse lead during the delayed first round of The Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa.
The Frenchman produced seven birdies, two bogeys and an eagle at Mount Edgecombe after heavy rain in Durban had left the course saturated and led to play starting seven hours later than scheduled.
A 15 foot putt at the 18th and tee shot to within five feet at the short third were amongst the highlights for the Challenge Tour graduate, who had a string of compatriots among his nearest challengers.
Edouard Dubois was second in the clubhouse after a 64, with Adrien Saddier, Romain Wattel and Victor Riu also in the top ten.
Swede Joel Sjöholm and Zimbabwe’s Ryan Cairns signed for matching 65s to be five under par.
Out on the course, England’s Daniel Brooks was level with Calmels on seven under with two to play.
