Cody Walker and Phoenix Crossland caught in fiery post-match scuffle after gruelling battle in Newcastle

The South Sydney Rabbitohs had a late comeback thwarted by the Knights as the latter narrowly held onto victory in a thrilling 42-38 battle on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts led the match 28-10 at half-time and looked set to continue their dominant attacking display into the final 40, but Wayne Bennett's message to his playing group unlocked a new level of energy for the Rabbitohs.

Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were the key voices on the field for the visitors, who managed to post 28 points and steal the lead with 10 minutes to go.

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But just as the Rabbitohs had claimed the lead for the first time in the match an error by Euan Aitken opened the gates for the Knights to strike, doing so via Trey Mooney.

Newcastle's ill-discipline began to creep in and sabotage their chances of winning the game as the clock counted down, with South Sydney giving their all.

Mitchell then made a remarkable lunge towards the corner post in attempt to snatch victory in the dying seconds of the match but dropped the ball in goal.

As he laid on turf in disbelief, teammate Walker shoved celebrating Newcastle defenders away from Mitchell, with his first target being Phoenix Crossland. His actions then prompted a small push-and-shove between Mooney and Tallis Duncan.

While teammates separated the scuffles on the sidelines, the siren sounded and sealed the scores at 42-38, leaving the Rabbitohs to come to terms with the stellar football match they had just played.

Crossland and Walker then clashed after the siren during the hand shakes, but it's unclear what was said between the two.

"Both teams just forgot how to defend and it became a scoreathon," Cameron Murray told reporters at the club's post-match press conference.

Bennett added: "It was crazy."

Knights coach Justin Holbrook was impressed by his team's efforts to withhold the late resurgence of South Sydney, especially the unit that came together to stop Mitchell.

"We had to come up with a try-saving tackle, which I think we had seven or eight guys in there," he said.

"Which is probably how many you need to stop Latrell. Maybe you need nine.

"But we got the win. We had to win it twice, and we were good enough to do that."

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To add salt to the wounds of the visitors, Bennett's men will prepare to be without Jack Wighton for the coming weeks after he suffered a suspected broken arm.

Wighton had been a strong force on the edge for the Rabbitohs in what was a dominant half of football for their opposition, but his time on the field ended after 20 minutes.

The centre appeared to be in severe discomfort after making a crucial tackle before the 20-metre line on Kalyn Ponga, who was looking to Greg Marzhew to runaway and score.

Wighton immediately clutched at his arm and walked to the sideline after the tackle, while his teammates successfully held out Newcastle's storming attack.

He soon left the field with the assistance of a team trainer, who was seen supporting the South Sydney star's right arm.

"I reckon Ponga's eyes will be lighting up," Steve 'Blocker' Roach said in commentary on Fox League as Wighton left the field.

"Wighton has been defending well on that right hand side."

South Sydney initially feared that Wighton had suffered a shoulder injury, although concerns later arose that it was an elbow or upper arm injury.

Just shy of half-time, club medics confirmed it was a suspected broken arm for Wighton.

"He won't be back today and will need scans to determine if there is a break," Fox League reporter Jake Duke revealed.

Wighton returned to the sidelines wearing a sling to watch his team continue on battling, but he was only left to witness Marzhew and Dylan Lucas cross for a double.

Sean Keppie and Alex Johnston did, however, narrow the margin late in the first half.