Around 15,000 crocodiles have escaped from a farm in South Africa amid heavy rains and flooding, local daily Beeld reported.

The predators sprung from the Rakwena Crocodile Farm in the far north of the country when owners were forced to open the gates to prevent a storm surge.

A number have since been recaptured, but at least half remain on the loose.

One turned up on a school rugby pitch 120 kilometres away.

The surrounding province of Limpopo has been hit by serious floods which have killed 10 people and made many more homeless.

The floods have also savaged neighbouring Mozambique, were tens of thousands of people were being evacuated from their homes.

AFP