Hampshire duo Richard Bland and Sam Hutsby are four shots off the lead at the halfway stage of the Joburg Open.

The European Tour stars are both tied for 11th position, on a score of eight-under-par, and will look to chase down Wallie Coetsee (-12) over the next two days.

Stoneham ace Bland started the day on three-under, before shooting a five-under 67 on the East Course at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club.

He told the Tour after his round that he was pleased with how he has played so far this week.

"Yeah, considering the way I've been feeling," he said.

"I've been absolutely full of cold for the last three or four days, and, up here at altitude, I'm pretty exhausted after I've finished playing, so the less shots I hit the better."

Hutsby, who had been six-under overnight, improved by two shots, as he carded a 69 on the West Course.

On the Ladies European Tour, Brokenhurst Manor’s Liz Young is one-under-par and holding a share of 23rd position after the first round of the New Zealand Open.