It was the nation's ninth consecutive appearance at the Games in the post-apartheid era and twenty-first overall in Summer Olympic history.

[2] South African track and field athletes achieved the entry standards for Paris 2024, either by passing the direct qualifying mark (or time for track and road races) or by world ranking, in the following events (a maximum of 3 athletes each):[3] For the first time since the nation's last participated at Rio 2016, South Africa entered one badminton player into the Olympic tournament based on the BWF Race to Paris Rankings.

[4] South Africa entered one rider for men's sprint and keirin events, based on the allocations of continental spots, through the final UCI Olympic rankings.

South African rider received a single quota spot in the men's BMX freestyle for Paris 2024, finishing among the top three eligible nations, not yet qualified, at the 2023 UCI BMX Freestyle World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

[6] South African divers secured a quota place for Paris 2024 by advancing to the top twelve final of the women's individual springboard at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

Caitlin Rooskrantz qualified for the games by virtue of her individual results through all-around event at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.

Geronay Whitebooi (women's extra-lightweight, 48 kg) qualified via continental quota based on Olympic point rankings.

South Africa entered three skateboarders (two males and one female) to compete in each of the following events at the Games.

Jordy Smith and Sarah Baum topped the list of eligible surfers from Africa to secure the lone available berth in their respective shortboard races at the 2023 ISA World Surfing Games in Surf City, El Salvador.

Nicolaas de Lange qualified for the games following the triumph of winning the semifinal round at the 2024 African & Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament in Alexandria, Egypt.