There does seem to be a little more flexibility for me - the new rule about transit through the ME to Africa benefits me, as it now gives me an option to fly JNB-Europe-SWP-North America-ME-JNB - previously you couldn't do this, as you fell foul of the rule of not being able to touch Europe twice if you were in South Africa. Previously I could only fly westerly (JNB-Europe-North America-SWP).
Another benefit on continental entries and exits:
2. TWO PERMITTED IN ASIA WHEN ONE IS A TRANSFER WITHOUT STOPOVER OR ON DIRECT SINGLE PLANE SERVICE BETWEEN THE SW PACIFIC AND EUROPE.
This means you can fly QF2 from LHR to SYD *AND* then backtrack to Asia. That's another benefit.