South Sydney Rabbitohs made it a three-way tie at the top of the NRL ladder thanks to an impressive 22-14 victory over Cronulla Sharks on Friday.

Tom Burgess touched down twice, his brace sandwiching a stunning second-half try from Campbell Graham, as surging South Sydney stretched their winning streak to five matches.

Adam Reynolds kicked two conversions and three penalties for the Rabbitohs, who drew level with Penrith Panthers and St George Illawarra Dragons on 18 points at the summit.

They prospered despite the absence of their State of Origin stars too, overcoming an early Cronulla penalty from Chad Townsend to lead 10-2 at half-time.

Graham increased the advantage with an eye-catching score after the break, rising in between Sharks duo Ricky Leutele and Sosaia Feki to catch and ground Reynolds' high kick to the corner.

Burgess completed his double by barging over from close range during a second half that saw each side - Robert Jennings for South Sydney and Matt Moylan from Cronulla - have a player sin-binned.

The Sharks did bite back in the closing stages, Jesse Ramien and Sione Katoa scoring tries in successive minutes, but still slipped to their first loss since round six.