It was a good day for the Irish in the second round of the Data Dimension Pro-Am in South Africa but all eight were still someway adrift of the joint leaders, South African Retief Goosen and Scotland's Ross Drummond on 11 under par.
What complicates matters slightly is that the field is split over two courses.
The honour of leading Irishman fell to Warrenpoint's Paddy Gribben who shot a second consecutive 68 to be eight under par after two rounds.
Also playing on the Lost City course were Peter Lawrie (76, 69) at one over par, Ciaran McMonagle (76,70) at two over par and David Higgins (77,71) two shots further back.
Darren Clarke heads the challenge on the Gary Player Country club course following an opening 73.
However, Clarke typically responded in the second round with a four-under-par 68 and his overall total of three under par leaves him nicely placed.
Paul McGinley is on one under par (73,70) with James Loughnane (73, 78) on seven over.
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