A woman was birdwatching in her garden when a death-defying aerial stunt unfolded above her head - believed to be for the new Mission: Impossible film.

Tom Cruise has been on location in South Africa for weeks shooting scenes for the eight instalment of the hit franchise.

So Susan Marais, 66, was not surprised when she heard noise coming from the skies near Hoedspruit.

But, when she looked up, she was startled to see a man hanging from a helicopter - which was hovering above a biplane.

Pictures and video captured by Susan from her farm on Tuesday (23/3) show the stunning moment.

She said: "I'm a keen birdwatcher and I was filming the birds in my garden when I saw the planes go by.

"They were hovering on top of each other and then I spotted the man hanging. I was really excited and realised something big was happening.

"I'll definitely be going to see the film when it comes out as it features our home and our mountains."

Cruise, 59, has been photographed in and around the Kruger National Park while reprising his role as Ethan Hunt.

He regularly stops and chats to locals - revealing previously that the cast and crew were loving their time in the country.