Golf:Ireland's Damien McGrane slipped down the leaderboard at the Joburg as the weather again spoiled proceedings in the second round of the event.

Overnight leader McGrane only managed three holes of his second round, dropping a shot at the first on the tougher East course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club before thunderstorms forced play to be abandoned for the day.

That left the Co Meath golfer on seven under for the tournament after his blistering 63 on the opening day and he now trails England’s Robert Rock by four shots.

The 34-year-old from Staffordshire, chasing a second career win, shot a second-round 67 to hit the front just moments before the thunderstorms arrived.

Rock, who played the West course, posted an eagle and four birdies today, with his only blemishes being bogies on the eighth and 12th holes.

He signed his card a shot clear of home duo Jbe Kruger and Branden Grace, who both went round the West in 66, adding to their 67s yesterday.

Another South African, Michiel Bothma, is a shot further back on nine under, as is another in George Coetzee.

Scotland’s Scott Jamieson checked into the clubhouse with a four-under 67 leaving him three shots behind Rock.

Peter Lawrie shot a three-under 68 on the West course and lies in a tie for 56th position in three under ahead of the completion of the second round.

On level par, Simon Thornton will need a blistering final six holes on the harder East layout if he is to make the cut, although he will have been encouraged with an eagle and two birdies, if not the two bogeys, in the 12 holes he played today.

Defending champion Charl Schwartzel, four under for the tournament, will also have to wait until after all the second rounds have been completed tomorrow morning to see if he has made the cut.