Rose also won the European Tour's season-ending Volvo Masters

England's Justin Rose maintained his momentum in the Nedbank Golf Challenge with a second-round 65 to join Trevor Immelman in the lead in South Africa.

Rose, the European number one, reached 11 under in the 12-man invitational event at the Gary Player Country Club in the Sun City resort.

Ernie Els was three strokes back after a 67 with Sweden's Henrik Stenson in fourth after shooting a 65.

England's Luke Donald slipped back with a 71 as he chases a first win of 2007.

The 27-year-old Rose, who was born in Johannesburg, carded seven birdies and no bogeys, while South African Immelman, a late replacement for Sergio Garcia, fired eight birdies and two bogeys in a 66.

Rose said: "The ball is rolling really well, and I feel confident over my putter, so that's certainly helping me."

Els was full of praise for the South-African born English star, saying: "Justin is putting as well as Tiger Woods right now.

"That's going to make him very tough to beat, but I'll give it my best shot."

South African Charl Schwartzel props up the field on four over.

The course is expected to dry out for Saturday's third round, which Rose said will be a mixed blessing.

"With the sun coming out, the course will look better, but we won't be able to attack the flag as we did today," he added.