South Sydney has broken an 11-match losing streak with a thrilling 32-22 victory over Wests Tigers in their National Rugby League clash at Aussie Stadium.

The Rabbitohs celebrated like they had won a grand final when winger Nathan Merritt raced 80m to score the match-winner after they led 26-22 in the dying stages with the Tigers pressing the line.

Souths coach Paul Langmack will feel an enormous weight off his shoulders after notching his maiden victory for the club to improve the side's record to 1-4.

Goal-kicking second-rower Justin Smith booted six goals out of six attempts and scored two tries for a personal haul of 20 points.

The Rabbitohs inflicted their revenge on the Tigers, who beat them 58-12 in a pre-season trial, which preceded the sacking of Craig Coleman as coach, and 50-4 at Aussie Stadium in round 21 last year.

They led 26-22 following a 57th minute try to Smith and held on grimly to give their fans hope for the 2003 season.

The Tigers were off to a blistering start and led 8-0 after seven minutes following a Joel Caine penalty goal and a try to Michael Buettner following some excellent work from prop Corey Pearson, who slipped a beautiful pass to halfback Adam Tippett, a late inclusion for Lincoln Withers (hip).

The 21-year-old No.7 raced about 35m to set up Buettner under the posts.

Smith scored the Rabbitohs' first points, through a penalty goal in the 14th minute, before the home side locked up the scores 8-all when prop Paul Stringer scored a soft try, brushing off Buettner from dummy half close to the line.

Tigers centre Daniel Fitzhenry put his team up 12-8 through a 30th minute try off a Tippett grubber.

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