England's Justin Rose fired a five-under-par 67 to reclaim a share of the lead after the third round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa.

The European Order of Merit winner carded five birdies - and only one bogey - on his back nine at the Gary Player Country Club but it was a slip by playing partner Trevor Immelman at the last which allowed the status quo to be restored. Both men are now on 16 under overall.

The pair had begun the day 11 under but the Johannesburg-born Englishman was two behind at the turn as his South African opponent went out in 33 after four birdies in six holes from the second having dropped a shot at the first.

Rose bogeyed the 411-yard third but clawed back shots at the sixth and ninth to reduce the deficit to two.

However, further birdies at the par-five 10th and 419-yard 11th closed the gap to one - with Immelman also picking up a stroke at 10 - but that good work was undone when he bogeyed the 406-yard 13th and his opponent made a three.

But from there Rose picked up the pace with another three birdies in row to reel in the South African, who missed the fairway at the last, had to lay up and then hit his approach into a bunker to finish with a five and ensure the day finished honours even.

Rose, who this year has discovered the mental toughness to go with his general game, believed twice carding three birdies in a row gave him the necessary boost to catch up.

"Both times I felt I was faltering today, I managed to get three birdies in a row and get myself back in the tournament," he said.

"That was great. You can't do that at will so when it does happen, it really is pleasing."

The final group will be the same on Sunday but Rose said he would be concentrating on his game and the course rather than getting into a match play situation.

"We'll play hard and respect each other's good shots - just like we did today," he added.

Three-time winner Ernie Els, the highest-ranked player in the 12-man event, shot a 69 but fell five shots off the lead on 11 under in third place.

Ryder Cup stars Henrik Stenson (seven under) and England's Luke Donald (six under) occupy fourth and joint fifth respectively after rounds of 72 and 71.

Collated third round scores & totals in the Sunshine Tour, Nedbank Golf

(Rsa unless stated, par 72):

200 Justin Rose 68 65 67, Trevor Immelman 67 66 67

205 Ernie Els 69 67 69

209 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 72 65 72

210 Adam Scott (Aus) 67 71 72, Luke Donald 68 71 71

211 Rory Sabbatini 76 68 67

212 Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 69 73 70

216 Charl Schwartzel 74 74 68, Niclas Fasth (Swe) 74 72 70

220 Retief Goosen 74 71 75, Stewart Cink (USA) 72 73 75