Fourteen-man Brumbies outclass Bulls in Pretoria
Fullback Banks struck after 71 minutes, evading four Bulls in a run from deep in his half to dot down for Brumbies, who began the match second last in the 15-team overall standings.
Substitute Wharenui Hawera converted for a 31-28 lead and Andrew Muirhead then scored to seal a courageous victory for the Canberra outfit.
Brumbies were reduced to 14 men on 62 minutes when hooker Folau Fainga'a was red-carded for head-butting replacement Matthys Basson.
It was the second successive weekend that the Australian side finished a man short after lock Rory Arnold was sent off against Golden Lions in Johannesburg.
Bulls lead 14-10 at half-time in a lively match with both teams enjoying spells of supremacy before a small Loftus Versfeld stadium crowd.
Man-of-the-match Banks said: "It has been a hard tour of South Africa and it was great to play some running rugby today.
"We retained belief that we could win by sticking to our game plan even when reduced to 14 men."
Man of the match: Brumbies fullback Tom Banks was brilliant throughout the 80 minutes and he fully deserves the award. He was outstanding on attack and saved his team on a few occasions on defence.
The scorers:
For Bulls:
Tries: Pollard, Smit, Kotze
Cons: Pollard 2
Pens: Pollard 3
For Brumbies:
Tries: Godwin, Mccaffrey, Fainga'a, Banks, Muirhead
Cons: Lealiifano 3, Hawera 2
Pen: Lealiifano
Red card: Folau Fainga'a (Brumbies, 62 – foul play, headbutt)
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Johnny Kotze, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Nic de Jager, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Rudolph Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Nqobisizwe Mxoli, 18 Matthys Basson, 19 Ruben van Heerden, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Divan Rossouw.
Brumbies: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Andrew Muirhead, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 David Pocock, 6 Lachlan Mccaffrey, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Blake Enever, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga'a, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Connal Mcinerney, 17 Nick Mayhew, 18 Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Tom Cusack, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Andrew Smith.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Jaco Pretorius (South Africa)
TMO: Willie Vos (South Africa)
AFP
