An overjoyed Paul Langmack heaped praise on Bryan Fletcher after the South Sydney skipper helped the hapless Rabbitohs snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a pulsating finale to National Rugby League match at Leichhardt Oval.

Fletcher crashed through three tacklers with a minute left on the clock to level the scores before second rower Justin Smith coolly slotted the sideline conversion to give Souths an amazing 18-16 comeback victory over the stunned Wests Tigers.

It was only the Rabbitohs' third win from 21 matches this season and came after they looked dead and buried trailing 16-0 with 14 minutes remaining.

The Tigers raced to their big advantage with three tries in the first 18 minutes and even the most diehard of Souths fan could have been forgiven for fearing a repeat of last week's 62-12 humiliation at the hands of the Bulldogs.

But Langmack said once the Rabbitohs had weathered the early storm they were still confident of snapping their seven-match losing streak against the team possessing the worst attack in the league.

"At half-time, we could smell something special was going to happen," the Souths coach said.

"Fletch got up and said a few words. I can't give him enough accolades.

"He's got at an injury that could keep him out for the season, he's battling cramps but he still said 'mate, I've gotta be out there'.

"Everyone thought he came to Souths to take the money and run, but he showed tonight there's great spirit in the club".

But even if his knee injury doesn't keep him out of next week's clash with the Sydney Roosters, the club he won the premiership with last season, Fletcher was resigned to missing the match through suspension anyway.

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