A mystery celebrity has shelled out eight million rand (about $1 million) to rent a palatial Cape Town property during next year’s soccer World Cup.

The month-long deal is the biggest the South Africa has seen, says Ronnie Matthews Estates director Clinton Braude.

He said: “The villa has been rented to an undisclosed international celebrity to use as a base during their month-long visit while in South Africa during the World Cup in June, and is situated in sought-after Clifton – Cape Town’s millionaires’ playground. Many visitors to the World Cup have been holding out for the draw before confirming their accommodation.”

Locals, meanwhile, speculated on who the celeb might be - naming Jessica Alba, George Clooney and Tom Cruise as possibilities.

One woman said: “It would make sense for it to be Tom Cruise because he has the money and he often watches David Beckham play for the LA Galaxy; maybe he wants to see Beckham play for England. He would be welcome here.”