Surprise cast reveal — ‘Cocaine Cassie’ does SAS Australia

The full cast of SAS Australia 2023 has been revealed. Among them is ‘Cocaine Cassie’ Sainsbury, who spent three years in a Colombian prison for drug smuggling. Who else made the cut?

Having spent years in a Colombian prison should serve Cassie Sainsbury well as a contestant on reality show, SAS Australia.

Confidential can reveal the full line-up for the 2023 season of the controversial series, that has begun filming in the Middle East.

Known as ‘Cocaine Cassie, Sainsbury spent three years in El Buen Pastor women’s prison after she was caught smuggling 5.8kgs of cocaine out of Bogota International Airport in 2017.

She is one of 14 contestants set to compete in the series, alongside the likes of fashionista Lindy Klim and Olympic athletes Matthew Mitcham and Stephanie Rice, actor Zima Anderson and Tim Robards, of Bachelor fame.

Several names had been exclusively revealed by The Telegraphs over the weekend ahead of the official announcement, among them Craig McLachlan, Peter Bol, Boyd Cordner and Anthony Mundine.

'Cocaine Cassie' Sainsbury will star on SAS. She spent three years in a Colombian prison after being busted smuggling cocaine, right. Pictures: Supplied

“For the first time on SAS Australia, these men and women will travel offshore to a secret

base in the Middle East, where they will eat, sleep and train together in punishingly hot and

arid conditions, with no allowances or exceptions made for their celebrity status or gender,” a press statement read.

Anthony Mundine.

Boyd Cordner.

“The celebrities will be pushed beyond their limits like never before, as they’re subjected to extreme physical endurance, sleep deprivation, interrogation and psychological testing in unforgiving, dramatic terrain. Some will reach breaking point and withdraw. Who will have the mental strength to tough it out to the end?”

SAS Australia is one of the tentpole shows for Channel 7 each year, shooting to the top of the TV ratings when it launched in 2020.

Shot in Jordan, celebrities will compete in various physical and mental challenges as they undertake a gruelling SAS selection course under the guidance of elite British ex-Special Forces soldier Ant Middleton.

Jason Akermanis

Lindy Klim

The first three seasons were shot in Australia.

Rugby League player Sam Burgess passed selection in the 2021 season, while comedian Merrick Watts, AFLW player Sabrina Frederick and rugby star Nick Cummins passed the debut season a year prior.

Three contestants passed selection in the 2022 season, being sports presenter Riana Crehan, NRLW player Millie Boyle and retired NRL player Darius Boyd.

Also in the 2023 intake are AFL commentator Abbey Holmes, Thai cave rescue hero Dr Craig Challen, AFL great Jason Akermanis and rugby player Mahalia Murphy.

Peter Bol

Abbey Holmes

Matthew Mitcham.

Tim Robards.

Stephanie Rice.

Zima Anderson.

Craig Challen.

Mahalia Murphy.

Craig McLachlan.