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 eighth instalment of the hit franchise.

So Susan Marais, 66, was not surprised when she heard a 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.