South Sydney finished the 2020 NRL season in sixth place and qualified for the finals. Along the way, the club recorded big victories over Parramatta winning 38-0 and defeating arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters 60-8 which was Souths biggest ever win over the club. Souths would then defeat Newcastle and Parramatta to reach the preliminary final against Penrith. In the preliminary final, Souths lost a close encounter 20-16 which ended their season. The result also meant it was the club's third straight preliminary final loss.