Missing five current Wallabies, the Brumbies moved five points clear of their nearest conference rivals Queensland Reds with one match left to play before next month’s playoffs.
The Brumbies shook off their first-half lethargy to storm away from the Rebels after leading 10-3 at halftime to score four second-half tries and win convincingly.
It is the first time the Brumbies have qualified for the Super Rugby finals since winning the southern hemisphere provincial series in 2004.
Former South African winger Clyde Rathbone scored a brace of tries with other tries from Scott Sio, Henry Speight, Colby Faingaa and Zack Holmes.
Stand-in captain and Wallabies hopeful Nic White left the field in the ninth minute clutching his shoulder as Wallaby coach Robbie Deans looked on ahead of naming Tuesday’s final Test squad to face the British and Irish Lions.
“I know that we are proud of winning the conference and we get into the playoffs for the first time in a long time, but our coaching staff are really proud with the way the bench and those who haven’t had a chance for a long time, really stood up and took their chance tonight,” Brumbies coach Jake White said.
“We knew it was about preparation going into this game and this group has been together for two years and as soon as they lifted their intensity and started some go-forward we got some pay.”
There were two Australian-only matches this weekend, as the New Zealand and South African Super 15 teams have a three-week break for Test rugby.
On Sunday, the New South Wales Waratahs kept their slim Super 15 finals hopes alive with a 28-13 win over the Western Force in Perth on Sunday.
Despite being without several players due to Wallabies duties and injury, the Waratahs set up the win by running in three tries in the first half on the way to their eighth win of the season.
Up 22-8 at half-time, the defensive resilience of the Waratahs ensured they secured the win, despite the Force enjoying the lion’s share of possession and territory in the second half.
The Waratahs were denied a bonus point fourth try with the final play of the match by the narrowest margin possible, the video referee ruling Peter Betham lost control of the ball just as he reached over in the corner.
With 10 players away on Wallabies duties, Waratahs captain Tom Carter said it was one of the best wins of his career.
“That typifies the effort we have put in all year,” he said. “It is one of the best wins I have ever had.” Force skipper Pek Cowan dismissed suggestions that his team underestimated the Waratahs, saying they lost because of poor execution.
“We created a lot of opportunities but weren’t able to execute,” he said. “We are very disappointed with that.”