A One Day International (ODI) is an international cricket match between two teams, each having ODI status, as determined by the International Cricket Council. The women's variant of the game is similar to the men's version, with minor modifications to umpiring and pitch requirements. The first women's ODI was played in 1973, between England and Australia. Due to the sporting boycott placed upon their country,South Africa women did not contest their first ODI until August 1997, playing Ireland in Belfast. Later that year, South Africa entered the Women's Cricket World Cup for the first time, and were eliminated in the quarter-finals. They went one better in 2000, reaching the semi-finals, but since then have finished seventh twice (2005 and 2009) and sixth (2013). They were required to compete in a qualifying series to confirm their place in the 2009 (World Cup 2009 qualifier) and 2013 (World Cup 2013 qualifier) tournaments.
In total, South Africa have played 147 ODIs.Mignon du Preez is the most capped player, having appeared in 83 ODIs and the leading run-scorer with 2,137 runs, although her batting average is lower than a number of her compatriots. One of these players, Johmari Logtenberg, ended her career with an average of 38.54. Her total of 153 not out against the Netherlands in 2007 is the highest score in women ODI cricket by a South African, and the tenth-highest overall. Both Du Preez and Logtenberg jointly hold the record for the most centuries scored by a South African woman with two. Dane van Niekerk has claimed more ODI wickets than any other South African women, having taken 89. Shabnim Ismail has the best return by a South African bowler, having claimed six wickets in an innings in a Women's World Cup qualifying match against the Netherlands.