Thousands of Britons travelling to South Africa for the World Cup are at risk of having money confiscated because they are unaware of the country's currency restrictions, a survey has found.

Non-residents are not allowed to take more than 5,000 rand, the equivalent of around £450, in or out of South Africa.

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But three-quarters of people who are considering travelling to the country this year were unaware of the restrictions, according to Sainsbury's Travel Money.

Around 36pc of people who are planning to visit South Africa said they intended to take more than £450 of rand with them, with people expecting to have an average of £665 of local currency when they arrive in the country.

One in five people said they planned to travel with more than £1,000 of rand.

Sainsbury's Travel Money warned that people were putting themselves at risk of having money confiscated when they enter the country because they are not aware of the currency rules.

More than 460,000 people visit South Africa each year, and numbers are expected to be higher this year because of the World Cup.

Scott Gorman, the head of Sainsbury's Travel Money, said: "Our research shows that thousands of people may be taken by surprise at the currency import restrictions in place when entering South Africa."

ICM Research questioned 2,045 people during April.