The Bulls charged into the Super 12 top four as Queensland self-destructed for the second straight week at Ballymore.

The Reds gave up a 12-6 lead from a strong first-half performance with an error-riddled display after the break for the Bulls to end a nine-year drought.

The visitors' 23-17 win is their first-ever victory in Australia and sees three South African sides occupy positions in the top four.

The Pretoria-based side lies fourth with 22 points, behind compatriots the Stormers (28) and Sharks (24) and the table-topping ACT Brumbies (30) with three rounds to play.

"It was totally unacceptable and every single Reds player would like to apologise to the Queensland fans," said coach Jeff Miller.

Just like their heart-breaking 21-20 loss to the Stormers last week, the 11th-placed Reds managed to score more tries - three to two - than their opponents.

Also like a week ago, Queensland shot themselves in the foot after half-time.

The Bulls, who fumbled their way through the first 40 minutes, scored 17 points in 14 minutes as the home side made fundamental handling errors in the greasy conditions.

The rebuilding Reds gave themselves half a sniff when Wendell Sailor crossed in the dying minutes but it proved too little too late.

"We didn't deserve to win, we're making too many fundamental errors," said dejected skipper Nick Stiles.

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