To add to the rumour; it is rumoured that since TAAG's EU ban they have requested SAA to fly for them on SAA AOC the highly lucrative LAD - LIS route with an A340-600.
An agreement has been reached but SAA can only commence on 1 Mar 2008 when they can spare an aircraft and consign sufficient cockpit and cabin crew.
This can explain the reason for deal reached with TAAG B777's.