RISING prop Zane Musgrove has been confirmed as a key part of South Sydney’s future pack after re-signing with the club until the end of 2020.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Musgrove, still only 19, rejected offers from several NRL rivals — including 2016 premiers Cronulla — to remain at Redfern for another four years.

Bunnies coach Michael Maguire is a huge fan of the rugged South Auckland product, who privately played the final four games of 2016 with a broken wrist.

It came after Musgrove was restricted to only six games this year after also having broken the opposite wrist during his NRL debut in Round 1.

Round 20

The dual hand injuries continued a tough run for the teenager who has also fought his way back from serious hip and knee problems in recent years.

Zane Musgrove has signed with the Rabbitohs till the end of 2020. Source: Getty Images

Despite being sidelined for much of this season, Musgrove still had several clubs keen for his services when he came off contract at the end of 2017.

Among the top contenders were the Sharks, who saw the youngster as a perfect addition to an ageing premiership pack that — with the likes of Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis and Chris Heighington — will soon need an overhaul.

Having first flown across from New Zealand to trial with Souths aged 16, Musgrove was keen to stay — especially given the return of English Test captain Sam Burgess.

The teenager is a huge fan of Burgess’s playing style and has told close friends there is no better forward on the game to have as a mentor.

Musgrove’s manager Wayde Rushton confirmed the deal, saying his client had also waived the 10-day cooling off period.

“Zane always wanted to stay at Souths,’’ Rushton said. “He’s played junior football here, been at the club since he was 16.

“And is now he’s really excited about being a part of Souths future.”

Asked about the lure of Burgess, Rushton added: “Playing alongside Sam was definitely a big factor in Zane deciding to stay.

“He gets along with him really well and knows his game can only improve playing alongside someone of his calibre for the next few years.”

Meanwhile, the Bunnies have also re-signed talented Australian schoolboy Mawene Hiroti until the end of 2019.

Another New Zealander who hails from the Taranaki region, Hiroti is a fullback who can also play centre or wing and is expected to be part of the NRL squad by 2018.

Still only 17, he held the record for most tries and points in SG Ball this year.