Bancroft is one of the more enigmatic figures in a Highlanders squad full of developing talent, provincial journeymen and raw potential.
He was one of the highest-rated midfield backs in the country three years ago, playing in a star-studded New Zealand Colts side, and was recruited to join Otago at the end of 2006, where he earned immediate selection for the Highlanders.
Over the last 18 months, Bancroft (23) has never started more than four consecutive games for Otago or the Highlanders in one position.
He has been tried at both centre and second five-eighth, without quite making either jersey his own.
Even this season, when he is one of the more experienced players in a radically changed Highlanders backline, he has been in and out of the side.
"It's been one of the disappointing aspects for me," Bancroft said.
"I was injured at the start of the year and that opened some doors for other boys. They took their opportunity and played well, so I can't complain".
"I'm just trying to do what I can for the team. If that's coming off the bench, that's fine."
Bancroft started at second five-eighth against the Force and the Sharks, and at centre against the Blues at the weekend.
He is the team's second-leading try-scorer, with five, including two off the bench in the gutsy 31-28 win against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Bancroft said there was a genuine desire among the Highlanders to play an exciting brand of rugby.
The problem this season had been maintaining intensity for the whole game and staying composed in the face of attack from the leading teams.
"Probably a lack of experience has hurt us in some areas. But we're definitely building and hopefully, if we can keep these players on board, we can come up with better next year," Bancroft said.
"Keeping players down here has always been a tough thing. But hopefully we can lay some sort of foundation to make people want to come back".
"We want to make it an exciting place to play rugby, then people will want to be involved."
Bancroft, originally from Marlborough, knows the Highlanders face a tough task in ending their season against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
A loss would ensure the season went down in the record books as the worst season in Highlanders history.
"No-one plays to lose and we certainly don't. We wanted to play for keeps right from the start".
"But it's the toughest rugby competition in the world so you have to play some of the best footy in the world. Unfortunately we haven't been able to do that".
"The boys are a tight unit and they hang in there when times are tough".
"They're still getting really excited to play each week and I think you have to take your hat off for that".
"Our season is pretty much over but we'll go out and try to tip the Crusaders up. At least we can make them work for it".
