Thanks guys. Overlooked that paragraph in the rule sheet. Bummer.

EDIT: that paragraph is nowhere to be found in the rule sheet. Unless I am completely mad... It says absolutely nothing about having to reissue. See what is does say below my other reply.

That also negates my second question (or not) but to inform you:

I was booked (and confirmed) on the HKG-JNB flight in F. Next they changed equipment on me (they always do in the summer, but I did not know) to a 2 class A340. They only fly a 3 class A340 once a week, which is 2 days after my ticket expires. My plans do not allow me to fly back one week earlier.

My last hope (albeit a very small one) is that BA will allow me to fly back via LHR to CPT instead of via JNB. This is also against the rules but a lot of rules have been broken lately to accommodate Gold members given the very light loads in premium cabins.

Rulesheet:
Unless otherwise specified
(a) Reservations and Ticketing
For travel originating in TC1
Reservations for the first international flight and all preceeding flights are required at least 7 days prior to
departure of the first flight. Subsequent segments may be open-dated. Tickets must be issued at least 7
days in advance of the first flight.
Exception:
For economy class reservations made 22 or more days before departure, tickets must be issued at
least 21 days before departure.
For travel originating in TC2/3
Reservations for the first international flight and all preceeding flights must be made prior to departure.
Subsequent segments may be open-dated. Tickets may be issued up to one hour prior to departure.
Exception:
For economy class reservations made 22 or more days before departure ticketing must be
completed at least 21 days before departure.
For economy class reservations made 21 to 8 days before departure ticketing must be completed
at least 7 days before departure.
For economy class reserva