WGC-WORLD CUP -5 South Africa -3 United States, France -2 Wales -1 Argentina Level Sweden, Scotland, Germany Other: +2 England, Spain +7 Ireland

The pair fired a second-round 69 in foursomes for a total of five under to fend off Americans Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard (70) and Raphael Jacquelin and Thomas Levet (72).

Immelman and Sabbatini, ranked 57th and 71st in the world respectively, are seeking to become the fifth South African team to win the World Cup and first since Ernie Els and Retief Goosen won in 2001.

"We played real solid all day and putted well, too," said Immelman.

"All in all, it was probably one of the best rounds I have played all year."

In fourth, one shot further adrift, were Welsh duo Ian Woosnam and Bradley Dredge, who dropped two places after a 74.

Argentine pairing of Eduardo Romero and Angel Cabrera were on one under with Swedes Fredrik Jacobson and Niclas Fasth at even par alongside Scots Alastair Forsyth and Paul Lawrie, who bogeyed the last three holes.

Also on level par were overnight leaders Germany (Alex Cejka, Marcel Siem), who slipped to joint sixth after a disastrous 77.

England's Paul Casey and Justin Rose climbed five places to 12th after a second 73, marred by a bogey at the last, for two over.

But Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley lurched to a 77 courtesy of six bogeys and a double bogey to slide to 18th place and seven over.