Abbey Holmes faced a horrifying near-death experience on Tuesday night's episode of SAS Australia.

The former AFLW player, 32, faced her fear of heights during a challenge alongside rugby union and league star Mahalia Murphy, 29.

The challenge required Abbey to scale a cliff as Mahalia acted as the belayer, aka the 'brake man', while their fellow team mates watched on.

'The brake man, they have your life in their hands,' SAS Chief Instructor Ant Middleton said ahead of the challenge.

'If the brake man gets it wrong, you're dead.'

As a nervous Abbey prepared for the challenge, Ant instructed her on what she needs to do when Mahalia 'brakes' the pulley.

'Stay in your position, you don't need to do anything. You are potentially a casualty, probably... could potentially be f**king dead. Do you understand?' he said to her.

Meanwhile, on the ground, DAS Jay instructed Mahalia, who had full control of Abbey's fate as she was lowered down.

'Are you ready for the responsibility of her life?' he asked

'Her life is in your hands.'

Things took a turn when Abbey suddenly fell backwards off the cliff.

Despite listening and following instructions, Mahalia didn't have the firm grip required to safely suspend Abbey from free-falling down the cliff, leaving DAS Jay to step in.

As Abbey cried out, her fellow SAS competitors could do nothing but helplessly watch on in horror.

But as DAS Jay took control of the rope, Abbey was fortunately saved from hitting the ground.

'I went down to the first ledge as instructed and then when I was told to standby I went to go like that [placing her arms out to the side]. But I fell back,' she tearfully explained.

DAS Jay then ripped into Mahalia over Abbey's brush with death, telling her that Abbey fell because she 'didn’t have f***ing hold of the f***ing rope'.

'Look at number four [Abbey],' he said to Mahalia, as a terrified Abbey replied: 'I'm good.'

'She put her f**king trust in you,' he added.

Meanwhile, Ant said he was 'shocked' that Mahalia failed the challenge, but told her not to be disappointed.

'It doesn't matter. F**king crack on and get on with things,' he said.

SAS Australia continues Monday, October 23 on Channel Seven and 7Plus.