Here is all you need to know about the South Sydney Rabbitohs' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
The Lowdown
Teams they play twice
Broncos, Bulldogs, Dragons, Eels, Panthers, Roosters, Storm, Wests Tigers, Titans
Teams they play once
Cowboys, Knights, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Warriors
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday - 5, Friday - 7, Saturday - 9, Sunday - 3
Turnarounds
5 days – 2, 6 days – 8, 7+ days – 13
Kick-off
A testing opening month awaits. They'll head to Melbourne to meet the Storm in round one before another away clash against Manly, who were dangerous when at full-strength in 2020.
Then Souths will lock horns with arch-rivals the Roosters at home before facing Canterbury in what seems, on paper, their easiest early match-up.
Five key match-ups
Storm (Round 1, AAMI Park; Round 9, ANZ Stadium): There won't be much time to shake off any rust with an away clash against the premiers off the bat.
Given Wayne Bennett is departing the Rabbitohs in 2022 and hasn't announced his next move, these matches could be the last time the supercoach plots against the great Craig Bellamy.
Roosters (Round 3, ANZ Stadium; Round 24; SCG): This famous foundation rivalry is always a must-watch and the upcoming installments promise to be even juicier than usual. The Roosters will surely come out blazing in search of retribution after being demolished 60-8 in round 20 at ANZ Stadium last season.
Panthers (Round 11, Apex Oval, Dubbo; Round 23, Panthers Stadium): South Sydney will stew all summer about their preliminary final exit - their third straight - at the hands of Penrith. They'll get the chance to exact some revenge with a match at Dubbo before a return bout in Sydney's west.
Rabbitohs' top five tries of 2020
Broncos (Round 5, ANZ Stadium; Round 15, Suncorp Stadium): Ex-Rabbitohs mentor Anthony Seibold has departed Brisbane's helm, but the coaching battle between Bennett and his former student Kevin Walters will be just as interesting. One of the Broncos' few wins in 2020 came against Souths.
Wests Tigers (Round 6, ANZ Stadium; Round 16, Leichhardt Oval): The Tigers are building a small crew of former Rabbitohs, with coach Michael Maguire, outside back Adam Doueihi and prop Zane Musgrove now joined by speedster James Roberts.
Toughest stretch
Rounds 8-14 loom as a big challenge with successive matches against six of the teams from the 2020 top eight. First up are preliminary finalists Canberra, then premiers Melbourne followed by Cronulla.
Minor premiers Penrith and third-placed Parramatta are next before a bye leading into a clash with Newcastle where Souths will likely have players backing up from State of Origin I.
Better. Faster. Stronger.
And another thing...
As well as taking a game to Dubbo, the Rabbitohs are scheduled to host the Warriors at Sunshine Coast Stadium in round 19 and the Titans at Central Coast Stadium in round 22.
You can download the full 2021 Premiership draw or your team’s schedule directly to your calendar with eCal.
