South African lock Hyron Andrews has died aged 31 in France, where his club the Lions were preparing to face La Rochelle in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup.
The Lions confirmed the death of the former Sharks and Sale Sharks second-rower on Friday and said the squad had chosen to play Saturday’s match against La Rochelle as planned in his honour, Sky Sports and Planet Rugby reported.
South African Rugby said Andrews “passed away tragically, following an accident” while on duty with his team, and that he “died after falling at the team’s hotel in La Rochelle”, Planet Rugby reported.
Stade Rochelais said Andrews died on Friday morning at Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, on the Île de Ré near La Rochelle, the day before the two sides were due to meet.
“The Lions Rugby Company is deeply saddened by the passing of player Hyron Andrews while on tour with the 10bet Lions ahead of their Investec Champions Cup and Vodacom United Rugby Championship fixtures,” the club said in a statement.
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Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli said: “We are heartbroken by the passing of Hyron. He was not only a gifted rugby player, but also a cherished member of our Lions family having recently joined us this season.”
“This is terrible and distressing news; our hearts go out to Hyron’s family and the whole Lions rugby community,” South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander said.
Match goes ahead in his honour
EPCR, which runs the Champions Cup, said a moment’s silence would be held before every Champions Cup and Challenge Cup match this weekend. “The 10bet Lions squad and management are currently in France ahead of their round one Investec Champions Cup match against Stade Rochelais, and the squad, as a group, have chosen to play as planned in honour of their teammate,” EPCR chairman Dominic McKay said, as reported by Planet Rugby.
Stade Rochelais said the match would be played as scheduled at Stade Marcel-Deflandre at 6.30pm local time on Saturday, which is 3.30am AEDT on Sunday, with a minute’s tribute before kick-off.
A much-loved team-mate
Born in Paarl, Andrews played for the Junior Springboks in 2015 and spent time with the Sharks in Durban before joining Sale Sharks in 2024 on a short-term deal as injury cover. He stayed for two more seasons, playing 45 games for the English club, before returning home to join the Lions this season, according to statements from SA Rugby and Sale Sharks published by Planet Rugby.
“Hyron was just a brilliant guy and a brilliant teammate,” Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson said. “He was so skilled on the field but off it, he was always someone you would want to have a beer with.”
The Lions said they would share details of a tribute in due course and asked that the family’s privacy be respected.
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