The rugby league community is paying tribute to South Sydney's four-time premiership captain John Sattler, who has died. He was aged 80.

Sattler is regarded as one of the greats of the game, having famously led the Rabbitohs to victory in the 1970 grand final against Manly after suffering a broken jaw inside the opening three minutes of the match.

He captained the Rabbitohs to four premierships between 1967 and 1971.

Sattler played four Tests for Australia and represented both New South Wales and Queensland at state level.

"If anyone is to epitomise the true spirit of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, it is John Sattler," South Sydney chair Nicholas Pappas said in a statement.

"He bled red and green. He would do anything for his teammates. He never took a backwards step. He always led from the front."

More to come.