Craig rolled in five birdies in a confident display to finish second round on an 8-under total of 136 and take a two-stroke advantage over fellow countryman Bryan Newman and highest-ranked player in the field Michael Karanga of Kenya.
SA pairing Jack Buchanan and Johndre Ludick sit one shot further back on five-under-par 139, while overnight leader Tanaka Chatora of Zimbabwe slipped back after a 75 to sit on four-under-par going into the weekend.
Gia Raad, who finished runner-up in last year's Africa Amateur Women's Invitational and has her sights on going one step further in this year's event, holds a three-shot lead over Bobbi Brown going into today's final round.
The winner of the Africa Amateur Championship will earn exemptions into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, The Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, The Investec South African Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.
The winner of the Africa Amateur Women's Invitational will earn starts in The Women's Amateur Championship, Final Qualifying for the AIG Women's Open, Joburg Ladies Open, The Investec South African Women's Open and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions.
--ChannelAfrica--