Telfer from Bryanston finished seven strokes behind pacesetter Sophie Lamb from England, who reeled in seven birdies against a lone bogey to take pole position on six-under-par 67.
Telfer birdied the second, but gave one back at six and turned level.
The Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation player followed a bogey at 12 with a birdie at 13, dropped another shot at 16 and closed with two pars to tie for 16th with Frida Kinhult from Sweden, French junior Laura van Respaille, Ana Belac from Slovakia and Swiss player Azelia Meichtry.
Samu from Ruimsig carded a two over 75 and lags a further stroke adrift.
The reigning Sanlam SA Women’s Stroke Play champion notched a pair of birdies to offset a lone drop on the front nine and was one under through 12, but she ran into trouble at 13 and 14.
“Ivanna made a double bogey when she went into the water at the short 13th and bogey at 14 when she shanked the ball short of the green,” said Womens Golf South Africa president Karen Olivant.
“Despite the setbacks, she was very happy with her round, especially with her chipping.
“Kaleigh said her putter both saved her and let her down. She made a number of lengthy putts to save par, but she missed a few shorter ones for birdies.
FIRST ROUND – TOP 10
67 Sophie Lamb ENG
69 Ana Pelaez ESP
70 Carolina Caminoli ITA
71 Beatrice Wallin SWE; Sandra Nordaas NOR
72 Fiona Liddell GER; Paz Marfa ESP; Elena Hualda ESP; Filippa Moork SWE; Maja Stark SWE
73 Stephanie Amalie DEN; Elin Esborn SWE; Chiara Mertens GER; Esther Henseleit GER; Julia Engstrom SWE
74 Kaleigh Telfer RSA; Frida Kinhult SWE; Laura van Respaille FRA; Ana Belac SLO; Azelia Meichtry SUI
75 Ivanna Samu RSA
Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of Womens Golf South Africa.
