South Africa's Darren Fichardt has taken the clubhouse lead following the first round of the Tshwane Open with a seven-under 65.

Fichardt sits at the top of the leaderboard with a one-shot lead after a round that consisted of eight birdies and one bogey on the front nine.

Despite dropping a shot on hole seven, the South African was able to keep his place on top with Sweden's Bjorn Akesson breathing down his neck one shot behind after shooting an eagle on the 15th hole.

Englishman Gary Lockerbie sits on five-under-par following a round of 67.