Sitting three games outside the eight with five games to play the Rabbitohs are set to miss the finals for a second consecutive season and life doesn't get any easier with a clash against ladder leaders Melbourne.
The Storm are sure to be smarting after a shock loss to the Dragons in Round 22 cut their lead over second-placed Penrith to just two points, ensuring the race for the minor premiership would go down to the wire.
A heavyweight showdown with the Panthers awaits in Round 24 but before then the Storm will look to get back on track against a Rabbitohs outfit playing solely for pride after a season decimated by injury and suspension.
Rabbitohs stars Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell and Jai Arrow have all missed significant game time while star centre Campbell Graham's sternum injury has sidelined him for the entire season.
When the two sides met on Anzac Day the Storm ran riot in a 54-20 victory and the Rabbitohs will need all the pride and passion they can muster if they are to avoid a 13th loss for the season.
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Team News
Rabbitohs: A boost for the Bunnies with halfback Cody Walker back on deck after missing last week's game with a calf injury. Michael Chee Kam comes into the back row to replace Jacob Host (abdominal strain) while Shaquai Mitchell joins the bench in place of Siliva Havili (hamstring). Peter Mamouzelos has also been added to the bench. South Sydney will line up 1-17, with Dean Hawkins the 18th man.
Storm: Prop Tui Kamikamica is back on deck after missing the Dragons game with a groin injury so Nelson Asofa-Solomona moves to the second row to fill the void left by Eli Katoa (knee). Chris Lewis joins the bench for his first NRL game since Round 3, with Tepai Moeroa moving to the reserves. Star winger Xavier Coates remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. No late changes for the Storm, with Kane Bradley the 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won their last three games at Accor Stadium.
- The Storm have won nine of their past 11 games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs lock Keaon Koloamatangi has scored four tries in his past three games at Accor Stadium.
- Storm winger Grant Anderson has scored five tries in his past four games.
- The Rabbitohs have lost all five games against top four opposition in 2004.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,