Good friend had his refferences checked and has been submitting all kinds of documentation ever since. He's writing his exams next month for the ATPL.
The voting down of the EBA played into the hands of J* management regarding this isue. Now new recruits can still enter into individual contracts into the left seat. Go figure!
The 457 visa isn't the be-all and end-all, there are so many South Africans in Oz now, a sponsored recidency is actually a better option.