Retief Goosen will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Nedbank Challenge in his native South Africa tomorrow, after he carded a third round 67 to move to 12-under-par, two clear of Robert Allenby and Angel Cabrera.

Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, who last overnight on five-over-par, withdrew before the start today’s play after failing to recover from the illness which had troubled him all week.

Goosen, the double US Open champion, held a one-shot cushion overnight and got off to the ideal start today with a birdie on the second.

An eagle on the ninth took the South African to the turn in 33 and further birdies on the 10th and 14th ensured the 2004 champion remained in pole position for a second title at Sun City.

Allenby and Cabrera both carded rounds of 68 to keep up the pressure, Australian Allenby carding six birdies and two bogeys.

US Masters champion Cabrera returned five birdies and one bogey, including two twos on the back nine courtesy of some superb iron shots.

Defending champion Henrik Stenson is four shots off the pace on eight under after a 70, alongside England’s Ross Fisher.

Fisher, who opened with a 73 on Thursday, continued on an upward curve with a 66 today to go with yesterday’s 69.

Collated third round scores & totals in the Sunshine Tour Nedbank Golf Challenge, Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, Johannesburg, South Africa

(Rsa unless stated, par 72):

204Retief Goosen 69 68 67

206Robert Allenby (Aus) 68 70 68, Angel Cabrera (Arg) 71 67 68

208Ross Fisher (Eng) 73 69 66, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 70 68 70

209Nick Watney (USA) 73 73 63, Tim Clark 69 72 68

211Luke Donald (Eng) 72 71 68

213Hunter Mahan (USA) 70 71 72, Robert Karlsson (Swe) 70 72 71

217Richard Sterne 72 75 70

RTD: 149 Rory McIlroy (Irl) 73 76