Rabbitohs pull off epic upset win over high-flying Panthers to book preliminary final berth

The Rabbitohs have opened their finals campaign by collecting a monumental scalp, conquering the high-flying Panthers 16-10 in a heart-stopping qualifying final clash.

The win means South Sydney have avoided Melbourne's side of the draw, with the Rabbitohs set to meet the winner of the Roosters and Sea Eagles in a preliminary final in a fortnight's time.

Many experts had tipped ahead of the finals for the Melbourne and Penrith to square off in the decider, but there is now no chance of that happening, with the Panthers set to meet the winner of the Eels and Knights in a semi-final next week.

Scores were locked at 10-all at the half-time break and the Rabbitohs took the lead through a Jaxson Paulo try in the 44th minute.

The Rabbitohs then pushed their lead out to 16-10 through an Adam Reynolds penalty goal in the 65th minute and held on to win in gripping scenes.

South Sydney's upset victory was built on tenacious defence and a completion rate of 85 per cent.

The Rabbitohs have held on to down the Panthers 16-10 in a qualifying final thriller.

South Sydney have pushed their lead out to 16-10 through an Adam Reynolds penalty goal in the 65th minute.

Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo was penalised for a crusher tackle.

The Rabbitohs have stolen back the lead through a slick play on the right edge 43 minutes into the contest.

Adam Reynolds, Cody Walker, Blake Taaffe and Jaxson Paulo all combined in a classy chain of passes that resulted in Paulo crossing untouched to push South Sydney out to a 14-10 lead.

"It was just a slightly different shape and as Andrew (Johns) says a little deeper and a little slower and then the double pump from Reynolds really sucked (Matt) Burton in," said rugby league guru Phil Gould on Nine.

"Beautifully executed.

"They went there, they didn't get what they wanted, they came to the middle, went back to the right, back to the left, different shape, different playmaking.

"Brilliant try."

Johns added: "He's been incredible tonight, Adam Reynolds."

After a gripping opening half the Panthers and Rabbitohs are heading to the sheds locked up at 10-all.

South Sydney had the lead until Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary slotted a 40th-minute penalty goal to level scores up.

South Sydney have taken a 10-8 lead through another Adam Reynolds penalty goal.

The scores are now locked up at eight-all after Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary slotted a penalty goal in the 29th minute.

Rabbitohs guns Dane Gagai and Cody Walker have combined in a lethal left-edge play, splitting through Penrith to grab South Sydney's first try of the game.

Gagai used his elite agility and strength to pierce through the Panthers' line in the 25th minute, before Walker loomed up on his inside and dotted down.

The Rabbitohs lead 8-6 after an Adam Reynolds conversion.

A huge question mark loomed over rookie Rabbitohs fullback Blake Taaffe after coach Wayne Bennett backed him as superstar Latrell Mitchell's replacement for tonight's qualifying final – and the youngster's night has got off to a dismal start.

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary tested Taaffe with a wobbly bomb in the seventh minute and the 22-year-old knocked it on, gifting Penrith golden field territory.

The Panthers then scored the opening try of the game less than two minutes later, through centre Stephen Crichton off another kick from Cleary.

"Oh no," said rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns on Nine's coverage as Taaffe grassed the Cleary kick.

Former NSW State of Origin coach Phil Gould added: "This happens so often when a kicker miskicks the ball. I think he miskicks this ... and it sort of flops around. The inexperience of Taaffe – he rushed it."

The Rabbitohs have hit the scoreboard through an Adam Reynolds penalty goal in the fourth minute.

South Sydney lead 2-0.