The 29 year old from Pretoria, who missed most of the 2003 season with a back injury and who regained his playing privileges by claiming the 35th and final card at the Qualifying School last November, carded a second round 65 in the Sunshine Tour event for a nine under par total of 131.

Botes led by a shot from his fellow South African, European Challenge Tour Member Andrew McLardy, who carded a 69 for an eight under par total of 132.

The strong European Tour interest at the top of the leaderboard was maintained by Germany’s Sven Strüver and Challenge Tour Members Scott Dunlap of the United States and Titch Moore of South Africa, who shared third place on six under par 134 with Sunshine Tour player Warrick Druian.

Courtesy of www.europeantour.com