The duo opened with five-under-par 67s to hold a one-shot lead over Louis Liebenberg.

Cronje produced a near-flawless round, dropping just a single shot. He enjoyed a bogey-free front nine, picking up birdies at the first, fourth, fifth and seventh holes for an outward 33.

On the back nine, Cronje bogeyed the 10th but recovered with back-to-back birdies at the 15th and 16th for an inward 34.

Wessels also made a brilliant start, carding birdies at the second and third holes before eagling the seventh and adding another birdie at the ninth for an outward 32.

After the turn, he continued his fine run with four birdies in five holes. He picked up shots at the 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th before dropping four shots over the final four holes to derail his charge. He signed for an inward 35.

Third-placed Liebenberg carded a four-under-par 68 after recording six birdies at the second, sixth, seventh, 10th, 12th and 13th holes, along with two bogeys at the eighth and 17th.

Charl Bernard sits fourth after opening with a three-under-par 69, while Christian Kriek, Wandre Snyman and Hannes Strooh share fifth place after carding two-under-par 70s.