Two workers' unions have filed a court case challenging planned job cuts at state-owned South African Airways (SAA).

They want the court to stop the job cuts until the airline complies with sections of the law that provide a 60-day consultation period before any redundancies are made.

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and South African Cabin Crew Association (Sacca) filed the joint suit at a labour court in the largest city, Johannesburg, on Monday.

The case will be heard on Thursday, according to Numsa representative Phakamile Hlubi-Majola.

The metalworkers' union also wants the airline to adhere to an agreement signed last year - which outlined how workers facing redundancy would be placed in a scheme for six months during which they would be paid three-quarters of their monthly salary.