South African rugby has been left mourning the death of Hyron Andrews, a 31-year-old lock forward who died in France while travelling with the Johannesburg Lions ahead of their European Champions Cup fixture.
Andrews died on Friday, October 16, at the team’s hotel in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, near La Rochelle, where the Lions were preparing for their match against French club Stade Rochelais. South African rugby authorities confirmed his death following an incident at the hotel.
PEOPLE, in a report published October 17, said emergency services were called after Andrews was found unresponsive in a shower. Reports citing local authorities said the circumstances were still being investigated. While some early accounts referred to a possible heart attack, officials had not publicly established a definitive cause of death.
The South African Rugby Union, known as SA Rugby, said Andrews died after a fall at the hotel. French authorities opened an investigation, and further details about the circumstances were still pending.
Andrews had joined the Lions after spells with the KZN Sharks in South Africa and Sale Sharks in England. He also represented the Junior Springboks in 2015, building a career across domestic and international club rugby before returning home to play for the Johannesburg side.
The Lions described his death as devastating and paid tribute to him as a valued member of the squad. The club extended condolences to his wife, Maiglin, their young sons and the wider Andrews family, while asking the public to respect their privacy as they grieve.
Despite the loss, the Lions decided to go ahead with their scheduled Champions Cup match against La Rochelle on Saturday, October 17, in honour of their teammate. European Professional Club Rugby confirmed that a minute’s silence would be observed before every Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixture over the weekend.
Reuters, reporting on the team’s decision, said Andrews’ death came just a day before the Lions’ European campaign was due to begin. The match therefore became an occasion to remember the player as well as a major fixture for the South African club.
Tributes also came from Sale Sharks, where Andrews made 45 appearances during his time in England. The club remembered him as a much-loved teammate and offered support to his family and former colleagues.
Andrews’ death has sent shockwaves through the rugby community. The investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing, while teammates, former clubs and supporters mourn a player whose career connected rugby communities in South Africa and England.
