"The army, which ordered all its staff back to work on 1 May, is also planning to convert 2010 Soccer World Cup stadiums into field hospitals after being warned to expect the worst," the website said.

Sources in the military are quoted as saying the plans are not unusual and are to augment existing health facilities.

While easing the total lockdown, President Cyril Ramaphosa told South Africans to prepare for the worst as infections continue to rise.

South Africa has confirmed a record high number of coronavirus cases in a single day of 1,160, bringing the total to 15,515 including 7,006 recoveries and 264 deaths.