A late flurry from Argentina's Ariel Canete was enough to seal victory in the inaugural Joburg Open.

Canete was level with South African Andrew McLardy on 17 under with two holes to play but consecutive birdies claimed the title for the Latin American.

McLardy started off badly by dropping a shot on the first hole of the fourth and final round, but immediately bounced back with some excellent approach shots to birdie five, seven and nine and turn on 16 under.

He then added two birdies and a dropped shot on a tough back nine before parring the last three holes to post the challenge.

No less than 36 players had to return early this morning to complete their third round, interrupted by a heavy thunderstorm yesterday afternoon, before the fourth round teed off.

The surprise of the morning was the upsurge of South African Alex Haindl, who shot a 67 to join compatriot Hennie Otto in third place.

Haindl posted a one-under 70 in his afternoon round, but three birdies and an eagle on the back nine suddenly catapulted him to the top part of the leaderboard.

The top five get exemption from Abu Dhabi next weekend but Haindl will not be going as he does not have European Tour membership.

Ricardo Gonzalez enjoyed the early morning conditions to shoot a six-under 65 while Englishman Tom Whitehouse ensured a better pay-day for himself with a three-under 68.

Most players struggled on the East course in the stifling heat.