The question is would zero-ed inventory allow for a claim to reroute if the flight still shows as operating? If yes - it would be indeed very good news. But I am not sure. In our case we have a mix of paid J and award J - either paid with QR Avios and AS points. So it would be complicated to plan for alternatives. Assuming the situation continues and would not allow for full schedule by mid may best case scenario would be by mid April to for QR to reroute us with BA/AF/KL. Worst case scenario would be QR canceling last minute, returning our payment, and having to find on our own four J return tickets SFO to South Africa one month or less before our flights. In any case I plan to wait for another couple of weeks or at least until mid April before I take action. There are too many unknowns and uncontrollables right now.