Using QF points flying to South Africa

[hthorei]

We recently used points for a return flight with QF in business class to South Africa. It was impossible to book a direct flight regardless which date we chose over a 3 months period. Depending on the departure airport, one had to fly via Hong Kong, Dubai or Beijing and thereby paying extra points and higher taxes i.e. $750/person. The return flight was direct. Has that happened to other members and is there a way to overcome that rip-off.:evil::evil::evil:

 

[drron]

We did JASAs to JNB and had the direct flights both ways.However to do that we booked 12 months out.within 3-4 days of awards being available there was no longer availability for 2 awards at classic points.
We did in fact book FASAs but they dropped F before we flew.We just got lucky as the FASAs were at J prices and we got a refund of the usual points difference between F and J.Our primary search was for J.