SAS Australia: Nick Cummins, Merrick Watts, Sabrina Frederick pass selection

In a shock end to reality show SAS Australia, one recruit made it to the end but didn’t pass selection. Find out who made it.

James Magnussen has been dealt the major blow of making it to the end of reality show SAS Australia but not passing selection.

In an unexpected ending to what has been one of the top TV series of the year, Magnussen was deemed to not have given “enough” while comedian Merrick Watts, former rugby player Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins and AFLW player Sabrina Frederick were all triumphant.

It is the first season of the reality format in Australia. In seven series overseas, just 13 contestants have passed selection, two of those being women.

Merrick Watts, Sabrina Frederick, Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins and James Magnussen on SAS Australia.

Merrick Watts, James Magnussen, Nick Cummins and Sabrina Frederick on SAS Australia.

“The final day was pretty strange,” Magnussen said after filming wrapped.

“We had just come out of a really tough interrogation. The final challenge was very physical, no real sign of the finish line. I felt fine as my goal was to complete the course and they explained to me that it was some of the smaller areas, nuances, which cost me selection. It did not affect the overall feeling of pride and achievement I had in completing the course and overcoming all of the challenges and adversity.”

Sabrina Frederick, Merrick Watts and Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins pass selection.

The recruits on SAS Australia.

SAS Australia saw 17 ‘recruits’ put through their paces over a gruelling two week selection process. Among those to have dropped out earlier were Schapelle Corby, Mitchell Johnson and Shayna Jack.

Four British former Special Forces soldiers ran the course, led by Chief Instructor Ant Middleton.

“I feel amazing,” Frederick said, elated from the experience.

“I won’t ever be able to accurately put into words what it means for me, especially as a woman to make it through and pass, women were only given the opportunity in the special forces four years ago, so to get a snippet of that and pass is unreal.”

The recruits on SAS Australia.

The recruits on SAS Australia

Channel 7 is already looking at casting for next year’s series with all four finalists recommending the experience despite how difficult it was.

“Think about why you want to do it and if it is money or fame or just another physical challenge, that will probably not be enough to take you all the way,” Watts said. “Search deeply for a reason that is so strong that it can defeat any challenge you face. If you have that reason, attempt selection.”

James Magnussen, Nick Cummins, Merrick Watts and Sabrina Frederick on SAS Australia.

The recruits on SAS Australia.

Of his performance, Cummins said: “It feels great. It meant a lot to prove to myself that I was capable of SAS and now I’m looking forward to taking the challenges I set myself to new heights. I learnt how to handle large tasks and how to be confident in my own ability to get through tough tasks.”