South Africa’s army and police have been called in to rescue thousands of crocodiles that escaped from a farm in flood waters.

Around 15,000 sprung from the Rakwena Crocodile Farm in the far north of the country when its owners were forced to open the gates to prevent a storm surge, local daily Beeld reported.

At least half still remain on the loose.         

Some turned up on a school rugby pitch 120km away.

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

“Before there were only a few crocodiles in the Limpopo River. Now there are plenty,” said Zane Langman, the son-in-law of Rakwena’s owner.

“We go catch them when farmers phone us and say crocs are around.”

Mr Langman earlier used a motor boat to rescue some local residents who had climbed onto the roof of a garage to escape the rising floods.

“When we arrived there, the crocodiles were circling them,” he said.

Police spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi said: “Police, the army, and people from the community are assisting.”

No incidents involving crocodile attacks have been reported.