we live permanently in France but visiting South Africa for 3 months and wish to travel directly to China from SA, can I get a China visa here?

Yes, you can try to apply China visa in South Africa, the requirements for tourist visa application are:
(1)completely filled out visa application form V.2011A and V.2011B; all blanks on the application form should be filled in with genuine information;
(2)One recently taken 2X2 inch photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please affix the photo to the application form;
(3) Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.
(4) The latest 3 months bank-statements with adequate money.
(5) Hotel reservation in China;
(6) Round-trip ticket booking;

There are single-entry (valid for 3 months) and double-entry tourist visas. Multiple-entry tourist visa can only be permitted by the Embassy on applicant's particular situation.