Henrik Stenson cruised to an eight-shot lead over fellow Swede Robert Karlsson after the third round of the Nedbank Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on Saturday.

In a repeat of last Sunday's final round of the World Cup at Mission Hills in China, Stenson and Karlsson will be in the final group Sunday after shooting 65 and 67 respectively around the par-72 course. Stenson is on 17-under 199 and Karlsson on 207.

Third-placed South African Rory Sabbatini made 71 to be in third place on 210, one stroke ahead of American Kenny Perry, who shot 68.

Last week Stenson and Karlsson teamed up in the alternate-shot foursomes format to shoot 63 and lift the title, consulting and encouraging each other.

This time, Stenson quipped, "I won't talk to him at all."

Then he admitted: "I think it's going to be pretty relaxed although he will try to put some pressure on me early in the round."

It's the biggest lead Stenson has held in his career but he said he wasn't taking it for granted that he could just turn up and collect the $1.2-million first prize in the elite 12-man event.

"I need to keep my head down and play my own game," he said.

Karlsson, the European order of merit winner, has played the last two rounds in nine-under but said Stenson's first round of 63, compared to his level-par 72, meant it was unlikely he could catch his countryman.

"I have played well and my putting has been great but Henrik has played too good. I don't think he will be on my side tomorrow."

Sabbatini closed what had been a six-stroke deficit to four strokes when the lightning-hit second round was completed Saturday morning.

With Stenson struggling with his tee shots early in the third round, Sabbatini had several chances to close the gap further but he couldn't convert several birdie chances while Stenson made some good par saves.

The two players made the same score on the first eight holes but Stenson birdied the par-five ninth, tenth and 14th holes to stretch his lead.

There was an hour-long lightning delay while the leaders were on the 15th hole.

Stenson said a ten-minute session on the practice range sorted out a minor problem with his swing and when the players returned he made birdies at 16 and 17 before hitting it close and almost making another birdie on 18.

Sabbatini said his poor putting was a "travesty of golf".

He said: "I may as well have a mediocre day tomorrow and sort out my putting for when it really matters. The way I putted today sums up my whole year."

Perry said he had played relaxed golf after a stressful period in his family life.

"My oldest daughter got married two weeks ago and both my parents were in the hospital. My wife's mom was also in the hospital and we had a wedding.

"We had a lot of stress. My dad had two stents put in his heart, my mom is fighting cancer and my wife's mom fell and broke a knee cap and cracked a vertebra in her back.

"It's been horrible. It was nice to come here and just relax. I look at this tournament as a celebration of the best year of my career."