The Newcastle Knights will look to continue their tremendous climb up the ladder when they face the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium on Sunday. 

After finishing the 2025 season at the bottom of the ladder, the Knights have surged into the top four after a 13-12 victory over the Dolphins last Sunday. 

Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs are on the brink of exiting the top eight after suffering a 36-14 defeat to an Origin-depleted Penrith side last Friday. 

Several changes for Souths see Matthew Dufty in at fullback and Tallis Duncan returning to the centre with Jye Gray and Latrell Siegwalt dropping to the bench. 

Campbell Graham returns on the wing, while Jayden Sullivan replaces suspended five-eighth Cody Walker. Cameron Murray has been named to back up from Origin. 

Newcastle is without Jacob Saifiti but regains Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Trey Mooney. 

These sides have already met once this season, with the Knights claiming a 42-38 victory at home on that occasion. 

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights ahead of this game with huge finals implications, check out our Rabbitohs vs Knights tips and predictions below!

Rabbitohs vs Knights Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

New coach Justin Holbrook has injected some serious energy back into this Newcastle squad and they proved it in style last week, beating the Dolphins without the services of Bradman Best and Kalyn Ponga.

The Rabbitohs, on the other hand, will be lacking a little confidence after a comprehensive 36-14 belting at the hands of Penrith and they'll again be playing with no Trell Mit’.

Newcastle find themselves inside the top four for the first time in a long while, with Ponga playing some of the best football of his career and we're leaning towards the Knights to get the job done here, even if it's tight.

We'll admit to being wary of ever backing against Wayne Bennett, but the numbers and the momentum both point one way this weekend.

Betting tip: Newcastle Knights. 

First Try Scorer Prediction 

Who doesn’t love a try-scoring forward for a bit of value? Dylan Lucas has used his Origin dumping as some serious motivation it seems and has scored at least one try in each of his last four appearances.

A value pick with genuine upside, he’s our pick for first across the stripe in this one. 

Betting tip: Dylan Lucas. 

Over/Under Prediction 

Each of Newcastle's last four-day matches have gone under the total match points line.

Betting tip: Under (48.5) total match points.

Line Prediction

Newcastle has covered the line in each of their last seven matches at Accor Stadium when playing with a rest disadvantage.

Betting tip: Knights (-1.5) line.

Rabbitohs vs Knights Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Cameron Murray

Cameron Murray has scored a try in each of his last three appearances at Accor Stadium against opponents that were ranked in the top eight.

Trey Mooney

Trey Mooney has scored a try in each of his last three away appearances against opponents that were ranked in the top eight.

David Fifita

David Fifita has scored a try in three of his last four appearances at Accor Stadium.

Dominic Young

Dominic Young has scored a try in each of his three previous appearances against South Sydney in Sydney.

Fletcher Sharpe

Fletcher Sharpe has scored at least one try in each of Newcastle's last two away matches.

Rabbitohs vs Knights Teams 

South Sydney Rabbitohs Team List 

1. Matt Dufty

2. Dayne Jennings

3. Tallis Duncan

4. Jack Wighton

5. Campbell Graham

6. Jayden Sullivan

7. Ashton Ward

8. Tevita Tatola

9. Brandon Smith

10. Keaon Koloamatangi

11. David Fifita

12. Euan Aitken

13. Cameron Murray (c)

14. Lachlan Hubner

15. Jamie Humphreys

16. John Radel

17. Liam Le Blanc

18. Jye Gray

Newcastle Knights Team List 

1. Kalyn Ponga (c)

2. Dominic Young 

3. Dane Gagai

4. Bradman Best

5. Greg Marzhew

6. Fletcher Sharpe

7. Dylan Brown

8. Cody Hopwood

9. Phoenix Crossland

10. Trey Mooney

11. Dylan Lucas

12. Jermaine McEwen

13. Mat Croker

14. Sandon Smith

15. Tyson Frizell

16. Lachlan Crouch

17. Thomas Cant

18. Harrison Graham

Rabbitohs vs Knights Match Details 

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026. 

Kick-off: 2:00pm AEST. 

Location: Accor Stadium, Sydney.