Three-time winner Ernie Els has surged into a share of the lead in the early stages of the second round at the Nedbank Challenge.

Two off the pace after an opening 69 over the Gary Player course at Sun City, Els picked up three birdies in his first six holes to join fellow South African Trevor Immelman and Australian Adam Scott at the top of the leaderboard.

Using a new set of irons this week, the former Open champion picked up shots at the first, fourth and sixth to improve to six-under-par.

Immelman, a late invite to the event following Sergio Garcia's withdrawal, and Scott were in the final group out and were one under for the day after five holes.

Both players parred the opening hole and birdied the second, while Immelman then bogeyed the third and birdied the fourth.

European number one Justin Rose remained a shot off the pace after also carding a birdie at the 569-yard par-five second hole, while fellow Englishman Luke Donald was a stroke further back on four under.

Sweden's Niclas Fasth and South African Retief Goosen were bringing up the rear in the elite 12-man field on four over par.