Ward, Bentley-Hape, Johannson, Jennings and Poynton 2026 contract extensions
4th Aug 2025
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are delighted to announce the contract extensions of seven young stars for future seasons today. Ashton Ward has extended his contract with South Sydney until the end of the 2026 season, alongside fellow 2025 NRL debutant Bayleigh Bentley-Hape. Middle forward, Tim Johannssen, has also extended his contract for a further season. Australian Schoolboys representative Dayne Jennings has extended his contract for a further season in 2028, and young fullback Charlie Poynton has signed on for season 2026.
Ashton Ward
Ward, 21, made his NRL debut against the Sharks in round 21 this year, going on to play six NRL games in his debut season. Ward made quite the impression in the NRL at the back end of the 2025 season, having originally signed with the Club to play at the Jersey Flegg Cup under 21s level. Ward won the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup Player of the Year award in 2025 and has been re-signed on an NSWRL contract for 2026.
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Bentley-Hape, 25, made his NRL debut in round two against the Dragons in 2025, playing nine games throughout the season. Bayleigh won the Club’s NSW Cup Best Back award in 2024, and his consistently strong performances at this level were rewarded with NRL selection in 2025. Bentley-Hape has also been retained on an NSWRL contract for 2026.
Tim Johanssen
Johannssen, 23, was awarded the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup Players’ Players award for 2025, playing at a consistently high level in the middle of the field at either prop or lock throughout the season. Johannssen made his NRL debut in 2024 with the Tigers before joining South Sydney, and has re-signed for a further year on a NSWRL contract.
Dayne Jennings
Jennings, 17, starred for the Australian Schoolboys in their recent match against the Papua New Guinea Junior Kumuls, scoring a long-range try to help the Australians to a solid victory. Jennings originally re-signed with South Sydney on a NSWRL contract in 2026 and an NRL Supplementary contract in 2027, but his extended contract will see him move onto an NRL Top 30 contract in 2028.
Charlie Poynton
Poynton, 19, was one of the leading players for the Rabbitohs in their SG Ball Cup under 19s and Jersey Flegg Cup under 21s teams in 2025, playing predominantly at fullback. Poynton has extended his tenure with South Sydney for 2026 on an NSWRL contract.
Tim Johanssen
Date of Birth - 21st February 2002
Place of Birth - Locarno, Switzerland
Height: 190cm
Weight: 100kg
Position - Prop
Junior Club - Tweed Seagulls
Previous Clubs - Wests-Tigers (2024)
NRL Games - 1
NRL Points - none
NRL Debut - 2024 Round 22 Wests-Tigers v Nth Qld (Leichhardt Oval)
Representative Honours - none
Awards - South Sydney NSW Cup Players Player (2025)
Dayne Jennings
Date of Birth - 29th October 2007
Place of Birth - Gosford, NSW
Height: 181cm
Weight: 85kg
Position - Centre
Junior Club - Terrigal-Wamberal Sharks
Representative Honours - Australian Schoolboys (2025)
Charlie Poynton
Date of Birth - 18th September 2006
Place of Birth - Otahuhu, NZ
Height: 178cm
Weight: 78kg
Position - Fullback
Junior Club - North Curl Curl Knights
- Narraweena Hawks
Representative Honours - NSW Rugby Union (2021-24)
- NSW CIS U15s (2021)
- Australian RU U16s (2022)
- Australian RU U18s (2024)
Ref - SSFC [Viewed 25 Oct 2025] / FN-1