Having somehow crashed and burned in the run in to the finals last season after leading the field in round 12, the Bunnies have added a quality back and forward to their roster to stop the rot.
Ex-Raiders star Jack Wighton is as big-name signing as any over the summer, while former Sea Eagle Sean Keppie will add spice to the pack.
Both will walk straight into Souths' team and give the side a boost of experience and class.
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The club has lost three of its regulars from last season - Jed Cartwright, Hame Sele and Blake Taaffe - but overall looks a stronger and better balanced squad.
Wighton is great mates with superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell and the pair could strike up a lethal combination out wide for the Bunnies in coming years.
The Raiders recruit will miss the first two games through suspension but after that there should be no stopping him.
Injury hasn't been kind to the Bunnies in the lead-up to Vegas - two of their most dangerous backs - star centre Campbell Graham (sternum) and boom winger Tyrone Munro (collarbone) are out with long term injuries.
Jacob Gagai, brother of Newcastle and Queensland centre Dane Gagai, is likely to make his debut on the wing in place of Munro, with Taane Milne set to replace Graham in the centres.
Cartwright and Sele - two consistent performers - will be missed in the pack. But enter Tallis Duncan - named after the great Gordy - who showed enough in a handful of games last season to prove he will develop into something special.
Souths' fall from grace last season - and the late departures of assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris - will need to be addressed but Jason Demetriou is a smart operator with good man management skills and he is certain to have the Bunnies firing in Vegas and beyond.
After missing the finals for the first time in six years, the Rabbitohs will step up in 2024.
Gains: Jack Wighton (Raiders), Sean Keppie (Sea Eagles)
Losses: Hame Sele (Dragons), Blake Taaffe (Bulldogs), Jed Cartwright (Knights).
RABBITOHS' BEST 17
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Taane Milne 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Kolomatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Tom Burgess 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tallis Duncan
Having somehow crashed and burned in the run in to the finals last season after leading the field in round 12, the Bunnies have added a quality back and forward to their roster to stop the rot.
Ex-Raiders star Jack Wighton is as big-name signing as any over the summer, while former Sea Eagle Sean Keppie will add spice to the pack.
Both will walk straight into Souths' team and give the side a boost of experience and class.
IN PICTURES: Swipe through the top 50 players in the NRL
READ MORE: Roos sack troubled star after AFL's guilty verdict
READ MORE: Demons star retires in his prime after brain scan
The club has lost three of its regulars from last season - Jed Cartwright, Hame Sele and Blake Taaffe - but overall looks a stronger and better balanced squad.
Wighton is great mates with superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell and the pair could strike up a lethal combination out wide for the Bunnies in coming years.
The Raiders recruit will miss the first two games through suspension but after that there should be no stopping him.
Injury hasn't been kind to the Bunnies in the lead-up to Vegas - two of their most dangerous backs - star centre Campbell Graham (sternum) and boom winger Tyrone Munro (collarbone) are out with long term injuries.
Jacob Gagai, brother of Newcastle and Queensland centre Dane Gagai, is likely to make his debut on the wing in place of Munro, with Taane Milne set to replace Graham in the centres.
Cartwright and Sele - two consistent performers - will be missed in the pack. But enter Tallis Duncan - named after the great Gordy - who showed enough in a handful of games last season to prove he will develop into something special.
Souths' fall from grace last season - and the late departures of assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris - will need to be addressed but Jason Demetriou is a smart operator with good man management skills and he is certain to have the Bunnies firing in Vegas and beyond.
After missing the finals for the first time in six years, the Rabbitohs will step up in 2024.
Gains: Jack Wighton (Raiders), Sean Keppie (Sea Eagles)
Losses: Hame Sele (Dragons), Blake Taaffe (Bulldogs), Jed Cartwright (Knights).
RABBITOHS' BEST 17
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Jack Wighton 4. Taane Milne 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Keaon Kolomatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Siliva Havili 15. Tom Burgess 16. Davvy Moale 17. Tallis Duncan
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