The Rabbitohs were on fire through the first half of 2023 but crashed and burned post-Origin and ended up missing the finals for the first time since 2017.
A tough start to the year has South Sydney as the away team for the first three rounds, but they then enjoy three-straight at home into a Round 7 bye, which by that stage might be well needed as they look to return to the finals in 2024.
Teams they play twice
South Sydney play their Round 1 opponents the Sea Eagles twice in 2024, first in Las Vegas and then in more familiar surroundings at Accor Stadium in Round 16. There are home and away fixtures against arch-rivals the Roosters, as well as the Sharks, Storm, Eels and Wests Tigers. The Rabbitohs face both the 2023 grand finalists, Penrith and Brisbane, twice as well.
Teams they play once
The cardinal and myrtle face Queensland outfits the Cowboys, Titans and Dolphins just once. They will end up travelling north of the border for all three games, however, with away games to the Titans and Dolphins and one as the official home team for their clash against the Cowboys at Magic Round. The traditional Good Friday clash with the Bulldogs is the only time South Sydney meet them in 2024, while they also play the Warriors, Dragons, Raiders and Knights only once.
Day-by-day breakdown
- Thursday: 6 games (2 home, 4 away)
- Friday: 5 games (3 home, 2 away)
- Saturday: 12 games (7 home, 5 away)
- Sunday: 1 game (0 home, 1 away)
Turnaround time
- 5 days: 1 game
- 6 days: 3 games
- 7+ days: 19 games
With 19 instances in which they have turnarounds of at least seven days between games (the most in the NRL in 2024) South Sydney will have minimal disruption to their weekly schedule for much of the year. Their sole five-day turnaround comes ahead of a Round 23 home meeting with the Storm, but requires little travel as they play against the Sharks in Cronulla the week prior.
Opening month
- Round 1: v Sea Eagles (A)
- Round 2: v Broncos (A)
- Round 3: v Roosters (A)
- Round 4: v Bulldogs (H)
It's a huge first month that starts with a long trip to Las Vegas before heading to Brisbane to take on the Broncos 12 days later. After that a derby match against the Roosters awaits, before South Sydney finally have their first home game against the Bulldogs on Good Friday – kicking off a three-game stretch in which they don't play away from Accor Stadium.
Magic Round
South Sydney play in the final game on Saturday as the home team against the Cowboys. The Rabbitohs are four from four in Magic Round games and previously played against the Cowboys in the corresponding fixture back in 2019.
State of Origin watch
A bye in Round 13 means the Rabbitohs won't have to play without any of their players selected for Origin I and three days after the series opener they take on the Titans on the Gold Coast. They'll meet the Sea Eagles and Dolphins in Round 16 and 19 respectively, with no Origin players available, while having a bye in Round 17 before having to back up in Round 20 against Wests Tigers.
Can't miss game
Round 9 v Panthers, Thursday at Accor Stadium (H)
The first of two games against Penrith in 2024 which comes off a tough trip to Melbourne the week prior for a match on ANZAC Day. Picking up some wins against contending teams through this period will be important for a Rabbitohs side who started well but dropped off badly through the second half of last year. Their Round 9 clash against Penrith will be the Rabbitohs' only fixture at Accor Stadium between Round 7 and Round 15, making it a crucial home game for Jason Demetriou's side.
