📰 NRL Match Preview: Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs RD24, 2026
The South Sydney Rabbitohs will travel to Accor Stadium on Friday night to take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in round 24, with kick-off set for 8:00pm (AEST).
It is a crucial fixture for the Red and Green, who currently sit seventh on the ladder with 11 wins and 9 losses from 20 matches.
South Sydney come into this clash off the back of a 28-24 victory over the Parramatta Eels in round 23 at home. It was a welcome result after the Rabbitohs went down 16-32 to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks the week prior. The Club have won three of their last five matches, with victories over the Eels, Melbourne Storm (28-26 in round 21) and Newcastle Knights (26-24 in round 19) interspersed with losses to the Sharks and Canberra Raiders (24-34 in round 20).
One player who will be looking to make an impact on his return to the side is Campbell Graham, who has been named on the wing wearing the number five jersey. Graham currently sits on 74 career tries, meaning he is just one try away from reaching the 75 career try milestone. It would be a fitting way to mark his return if he can cross the stripe on Friday night.
The last time these teams met, the Rabbitohs walked away with a close fought victory 32-24 in the traditional Good Friday match-up.
The Bulldogs sit ninth on the ladder with 10 wins and 10 losses from their 20 matches. They have shown some strong form in recent weeks, defeating the Melbourne Storm 36-22 in round 22, the New Zealand Warriors 18-6 in round 21, and the Wests Tigers 32-0 in round 20. Their only losses in the last five rounds came against the Sydney Roosters (18-20 in round 23) and the Canberra Raiders (16-40 in round 19).
Canterbury-Bankstown boast a dangerous backline led by captain Stephen Crichton at five-eighth and the talented Lachlan Galvin at halfback. Viliame Kikau provides plenty of firepower from the second row, while Matt Burton lines up at centre. It is a side that will test the Rabbitohs across the park.
With the business end of the season approaching, every game carries enormous weight for the Rabbitohs. Sitting in seventh and with a positive points differential of 66, the Club are well placed to secure a finals berth, but they will need to find a way to overcome the Bulldogs at a venue that has not been kind to them in recent meetings. Captain Cameron Murray will lead the side from lock, and his leadership will be vital in what shapes as a tough contest under lights.
Match Details and Where To Watch
Fixture: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
Date: Friday 14 August
Kick-off: 8:00pm (AEST)
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Ashley Klein
Where to Watch: 9, 9Now, Kayo, Foxtel
