SAS Australia will return for 2023 at 7.30pm Monday, October 9 on Channel Seven and 7plus, with a new group of recruits descending on one of the toughest environments faced by Special Forces operatives: the Middle East.
See Also: SAS Australia 2023: Everything you need to know
Former world boxing champion Anthony Mundine, ‘Cocaine Cassie’, Olympians Stephanie Rice, Peter Bol and Matthew Mitcham, Balinese princess Lindy Klim, Thai cave rescue hero Dr Craig Challen and Brownlow medallist Jason Akermanis are just some of the 14 Aussie celebrities who have volunteered for a series of physical and psychological tests from the real SAS selection process.
The star recruits set to take on SAS Australia in 2023 are:
Abbey Holmes, 32 – AFL Field Commentator
Anthony Mundine, 47 – World Champion Boxer
Boyd Cordner, 30 – Retired NRL Star
Cassie Sainsbury, 28 – Convicted Drug Smuggler
Dr Craig Challen, 57 – Thai Cave Rescue Hero
Craig McLachlan, 57 – Actor
Jason Akermanis, 46 – AFL Hall of Famer
Lindy Klim, 45 – Balinese Princess
Mahalia Murphy, 29 – International Rugby Star
Matthew Mitcham, 35 – Olympic Gold Diver
Peter Bol, 29 – Olympic Runner
Stephanie Rice, 34 – Olympic Gold Swimmer
Tim Robards, 40 – OG Bachelor
Zima Anderson, 25 – Actress
Abbey Holmes, 32 – AFL Field Commentator
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“I’m always looking to challenge myself and do something to get out of my comfort zone.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“It was a brutal but amazing experience. I don’t think anything can prepare you for how real and how raw it is.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Yes, in a heartbeat.”
Anthony Mundine, 47 – World Champion Boxer
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“I saw it as a challenge. I’m pretty good physically, but I also thought it would be a good mental test. It was good to get out of my comfort zone.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“Looking back, it was a great experience.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Yeah, definitely. The people were very cool and easy to get along with.”
Boyd Cordner, 30 – Retired NRL Star
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“thought it would be a good challenge after I retired from the NRL. And it would test me both physically and mentally.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“It was great to be honest. It didn’t disappoint at all. I loved the fact that it was in the Middle East.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Yes, I would for sure.”
Cassie Sainsbury, 28 – Convicted Drug Smuggler
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“I wanted to give people a chance to see the real me.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“It was a very confronting experience, but worth it. It pushed me to confront emotions and feelings I had refused to acknowledge.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Sure. I would love to have another opportunity. Now that I’ve faced the demons of my past, I know that I can work through them. I would love to go back into the course and show them the real Cassie, the Cassie that survived years in one of the worst prisons.”
Dr Craig Challen, 57 – Thai Cave Rescue Hero
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“I thought it would be an interesting experience and different to what I normally do. It’s good to try something different.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“Very enjoyable. I was encouraged to find out that it was all pretty real, which I had my doubts about in advance.”
Would you ever do it again?
“I don’t know. Part of me says, “ticked that one off and move on to the next thing.” But I also feel it would be good to have another go.”
Craig McLachlan, 57 – Actor
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“I wanted the opportunity to exorcise pain with pain.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“Extraordinary.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Yep. Time would be a factor, obviously. Don’t invite me back when I’m too old. I was even older than George Foreman when he came back to the ring at 50!”
Jason Akermanis, 46 – AFL Hall of Famer
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“For the challenge.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“Terrifying.”
Would you ever do it again?
“No.”
Lindy Klim, 45 – Balinese Princess
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“I didn’t at first. But I have this habit of saying “yes” to doing things that I don’t want to do! I guess it pushes me to have different experiences that I wouldn’t usually have.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“Intense and the hardest, most surreal thing I have ever done.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Never.”
Mahalia Murphy, 29 – International Rugby Star
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“I wanted to experience a different challenge and a different environment.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“A lot of mental and physical challenges. But now that it’s done, I can say I really enjoyed the experience overall.”
Would you ever do it again?
“100%. I would love to.”
Matthew Mitcham, 35 – Olympic Gold Diver
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“I felt like I was getting soft and comfortable in life, and SAS would be a good challenge to give me purpose and momentum to tackle other goals.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“I loved it (for the most part!). I loved the challenge. I loved learning new skills, and I loved the novelty of experiencing something different every day that I would never have had the chance to do otherwise.”
Would you ever do it again?
“100%”
Peter Bol, 29 – Olympic Runner
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“As an athlete, I challenge myself every day in striving for constant improvement. SAS Australia presented another opportunity for me to challenge myself in a completely different setting, something I am always up for.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“It was a great experience at the right time of my life. I enjoyed the simplicity of living with no phones (technology), no clock and the day-to-day noise.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Yes. Especially when I’m retired as an athlete.”
Stephanie Rice, 34 – Olympic Gold Swimmer
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“Having watched the past seasons, I was always excited and interested in taking part. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I wanted to test myself mentally and physically again in a different situation to see if my inner athlete would shine through.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“I absolutely loved my experience. I enjoyed the toughness of the course. I feel like I thrive in intense and tough situations, and the course showed me that my instincts are more often right.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Potentially.”
Tim Robards, 40 – OG Bachelor
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“My body is getting older. I’ve had many injuries and some degeneration over the last few years and I feel like I’m battling against it on a daily basis. People around me are telling me to slow down and essentially, it’s time to give it up. That doesn’t sit right with me. I need always to be moving forward in some way.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“Traumatic. It was a rude awakening. Even though I had mentally prepared so much, nothing prepares you for the constant state of gruelling stress, fear and anxiety the DS create. The challenges are one thing, but the daily anxiety is a whole other weight that takes its toll.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Looking back, I’m glad I did it, but would I do it again? I don’t think so!”
Zima Anderson, 25 – Actress
Why did you want to enlist in SAS Australia?
“It felt like it sat really well with how I like to live my life. I love anything that aids growth in all aspects of life. I love challenging myself.”
How would you describe your experience on the course?
“I absolutely loved it! I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It was so rewarding being without a phone, away from civilisation and having a definitive purpose each day without distractions or judgment. Just pure focus. I really loved being around like-minded people with interesting stories and having my identity stripped down to just a number.”
Would you ever do it again?
“Yes x10000.”