Banks made amends for a first-half yellow card by scoring with nine minutes to go to lift the Brumbies to a crucial win against the Southern Kings 19-10 in Port Elizabeth.

The result breathes new life into the Brumbies' season after the side secured its first win in six weeks and became the first Australian team to win in South Africa this year.

It will give the players a desperately-needed confidence boost for the club's first trip to Argentina this week and keeps them at the top of the Australian conference.

The result was even sweeter for Banks given he was controversially sent to the sin bin in just the third minute for what referee Jaco Peyper deemed an illegal tackle.

Banks was chasing Makazole Mapimpi and knocked the ball from the Kings' winger's hands with the try-line beckoning.

Peyper ruled Banks tackled Mapimpi without the ball, awarding a seven-point try and sending Banks for a 10-minute stint on the sideline.

Banks got sweet revenge on almost the exact same blade of grass with time running out, winning a similar race to the ball and touching down inches inside the field to score his first try.

"I was pretty disappointed with the yellow card, I think it put the team in a tough position," Banks said.

"I thought it was harsh but the referee makes the call. I was more disappointed to let the guys down ??? but I knew what I had to do and I wanted to make a difference when I came back on.

"Getting the try was pretty good but I'm just happy we managed to close the game out.

"It's an unreal feeling, to have a string of losses and then get a win in South Africa is really enjoyable.

"During those losses we really tried not to lose the belief we are one of the best teams and we have been trying to show that in the way we play.

"We've got to reset now, enjoy the victory but we can't fall into the trap of losing a few in a row. It's time to string some wins together."

The Brumbies' season was hanging by a thread after four consecutive losses and after failing to score a try in the past two-and-a-half games.

The signs weren't good from the start after the penalty try and a Lionel Cronje penalty shot opened up a 10-0 lead.

But the Brumbies scored their first try in 230 minutes when Josh Mann-Rea rumbled over at the back of a rolling maul for a glimmer of hope.

The Brumbies had the ball for most of the match, finishing with more than 70 per cent possession for the 80 minutes, but at times they struggled for creativity in attack.

Kicking proved the difference with Aidan Toua winning a race to the ball to score a superb try and then Banks' breakthrough moment in the last 10 minutes.

The Brumbies also showed resilience in defence, coach Stephen Larkham praising a five-minute block of desperation to keep the Kings out in the second half.

It could prove the turning point for the Brumbies in a tight Australian conference battle, but beating the Kings will count for little if they don't back it up against the Argentina Jaguares.

The Brumbies hadn't beaten an overseas team before toppling the Kings and Australian sides had lost six games in a row in South Africa.

The nine-point triumph ensured they avoided equalling the worst losing streak in the club's history and will instil belief for a crucial two-game block against the Jaguares and Melbourne Rebels.

"We wasted a couple of opportunities in the first half, but the good aspect out of the game is the boys never lost their confidence or composure," Larkham said.

"They fought their way in the second half, particularly where we defended three passages of play, that was a turning point.

"Yes, we've been working on our attack this year and we saw some opportunities. But defensively we were outstanding."

The Brumbies' season had been dangling precariously close to disaster after failing to win a game since April 8 or score a try since April 21.

They are by no means the finished product, but beating the Kings was a step in the right direction.

"[Being the first Australian team to win South Africa] is a great achievement, we came over here with a mindset to get a good win and that's what happened," said Brumbies skipper Sam Carter.

"We've had a fair bit of territory and possession in the last few weeks but we haven't been able to get over the line.

"I thought in the first half when the Kings kept keeping us out, it wasn't going to happen. But in the second half we got the points.

"It was an accumulation of pressure, we didn't change our mindset and those things went our way in the second half and it was good to capitalise on them."

Prop Allan Alaalatoa added: "It was a strong battle up front and that's something we expected from the big Kings.

"It was a huge effort from our team and a credit to the boys to get the win away from home. It took a lot of effort, the first half was a huge grind and we knew we had to bring something else to the table in the second half."

AT A GLANCE

ACT BRUMBIES 19 (Josh Mann-Rea, Aidan Toua, Tom Banks tries; Wharenui Hawera 2 conversions) bt SOUTHERN KINGS 10 (Penalty try; Lione Cronje penalty) at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, on Sunday morning. Referee: Jaco Peyper.