South Sydney finished outside the top four for the first time in three years last season, but that did not deter them from almost making the Grand Final.

The Rabbitohs will be looking to go two steps further in 2021, with many people believing they will do so.

Any premiership contender is bound to take part in some great matchups, and that is no different when looking at the top five Rabbitohs fixtures to watch this season.

ROUND 1 – MELBOURNE STORM

We are kicking off the 2021 NRL season with an absolute barnburner, as the defending premiers the Melbourne Storm go up against top four morals the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

If the Bunnies are to be the genuine premiership contenders the masses believe they will be, then they must be able to go toe to toe with the Storm, because if they do not then their confidence will be shot and they may find it hard to handle the pressure against other heavyweights in the competition.

ROUND 3 – SYDNEY ROOSTERS

This game sells itself, not only are the Rabbitohs and Roosters two of the best teams in the NRL, but they are local rivals, the only two inaugural clubs to still be standing in the competition and faced each other in the first-ever NSWRFL (NRL) Grand Final back in 1908, with the Bunnies winning that one 14-12.

Most recently South Sydney shocked the Rugby League world as they defeated the Roosters by 52 points to claim the derby, and will be looking to maintain their stranglehold over New South Wales’ capital in this one.

Rabbitohs Top4 Podcast Ep2 is here! In this episode, Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly joins our regular hosts for a laugh & chat about his career as a footballer & administrator, living in England & much more. @Wotif

Apple 👉 https://t.co/sggYlKGjLu
Spotify 👉 https://t.co/Er5asjV375 pic.twitter.com/jdB9oPKUc9

— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) March 3, 2021

ROUND 4 – CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

Canterbury Bankstown and South Sydney will partake in their annual Good Friday clash in round four this year, a game that has provided some memorable matchups, including in 2015 where a controversial Grand Final rematch resulted in an 18-17 victory for the Bunnies.

Since 2012, the Good Friday fixture has drawn a crowd of at least 30,000 to ANZ Stadium, and it’s safe to say we can expect the same in 2021.

ROUND 8 – CANBERRA RAIDERS

Rounds four to seven should go South Sydney’s way on paper, but round eight will be a toss of the coin to predict.

The Rabbitohs and Raiders were both eliminated in the Grand Final qualifier last season and have the tools to go further in 2021.

In what could be a minor premiership four-pointer, both clubs will be desperate to win this game and obtain a momentum boost for the following weeks and possibly the rest of the season.

ROUND 11 – PENRITH PANTHERS

At the midway point of the 2021 NRL season, the Rabbitohs will go through a tough period, as after they face the Raiders the Bunnies take on Melbourne for the second time this season, before a game against the defending minor premiers the Penrith Panthers two weeks later.

South Sydney will also be looking to get one over Penrith, as the Panthers are the team who eliminated them from the finals in 2020.

This one will be taking place at Apex Oval in Dubbo, so hopefully, the Country Rugby League fans are treated to a great game.