The Brumbies could have Super Rugby's Australian conference title in the bag next week, unless their rivals can end the nation's year-long drought against New Zealand teams.
The Canberra-based franchise extended their lead over the second-placed NSW Waratahs to nine points with a 39-15 bonus-point win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning (AEST).
NSW (19 points), the only realistic challenger to the Brumbies (28), lost 44-28 to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday after holding a one-point halftime lead.
"It certainly relies on the Brumbies tripping up somewhere, certainly their destiny is in their hands," Waratahs' coach Daryl Gibson said.
"They've had two good (successive) victories away from home, they deserve to be where they are."
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham wasn't about to declare his team was virtually over the line following their impressive six-tries-to-two win in Argentina.
'It''s always been the case where if we win we stay ahead so nothing's changed there," Larkham said.
With three rounds remaining Western Force (17) and Queensland Reds (16) have only a minimal mathematical chance of catching the Brumbies.
The Force piled on the last 17 points of the game against the Reds in Brisbane to secure a 40-26 win that lifted them above Queensland.
The prospects of anyone catching the Brumbies seems remote, as the three teams immediately below them all play New Zealand sides next week, while the Australian pacesetters host last-placed Melbourne Rebels.
The Rebels lost 41-19 to the unbeaten Crusaders in Melbourne on Saturday, with Wallabies back rower Sean McMahon suffering a dislocated wrist which will put him out of the June Tests.
Melbourne's defeat means New Zealand sides have won all 20 of the trans-Tasman games played this year.
Emerging fullback Tom Banks and replacement back Andrew Muirhead each scored two tries for the Brumbies, who trailed twice early in the game in Buenos Aires.
The Tahs led 14-13 at the break in Dunedin, but conceded the next 17 points, the first 12 while lock Dean Mumm was in the sin-bin.
Reds winger Eto Nabuli was scheduled to appear before SANZAAR's foul play review committee on Sunday afternoon, after getting his third yellow card of the season.
Wallabies' captain and hooker Stephen Moore scored two tries for the Reds, but will be rested from their game against the Blues in Samoa next Friday.
The Crusaders lead the New Zealand conference from defending champions the Hurricanes, who beat the Bulls 34-20 in Pretoria, while the Blues and Chiefs drew 16-16 in Auckland.
The Stormers lead the Africa 1 conference despite losing 22-10 to the Sharks in Durban, while Africa 2 leaders the Lions hosted the Kings late on Sunday.
The Cheetahs ended their nine-match losing run with a 47-7 win in Tokyo over the Sunwolves.
