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Johannesburg Lions Lock Hyron Andrews Dies After Fall at La Rochelle Hotel Ahead of Match
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Hyron Andrews, 31, died at Lions hotel in Île de Ré ahead of Rochelle match Official statement said death was an accident; investigation by local prosecutor in La Rochelle
20 outlets told this the same way.
Andrews dies in France
Hyron Andrews, a 31-year-old lock for the Johannesburg Lions, died at his Johannesburg Lions team hotel in La Rochelle ahead of the club’s Champions Cup match against La Rochelle. SA Rugby said Andrews’ death was an "accident" and that the 31-year-old "died after a fall," while the public prosecutor in La Rochelle opened an investigation. Rudolf Straeuli said, "We are heartbroken by the passing of Hyron," and the Lions said they would fulfil their fixture against La Rochelle, which kicks off at 17:30 BST.
Mark Alexander described the news as "terrible and distressing," and he offered sympathy to Andrews’ family, friends, team-mates and loved ones. Andrews had arrived at Sale in February 2024 from the Durban-based Sharks as injury cover for England international Jonny Hill, and he made 45 appearances before returning to South Africa in the summer.
Tribute and silence planned
The Lions said Saturday’s match against La Rochelle would go ahead as planned "in honour of Hyron," and the club said a moment’s silence would be observed at all opening-round fixtures. Rudolf Straeuli told the Lions community, "He was not only a gifted rugby player, but also a cherished member of our Lions family," and he extended condolences to Andrews’ wife Maighlin and their sons Hendrix and Emerson. The Lions also said they would remember Hyron with "great affection and respect," and the club asked that Maiglin and the family’s privacy be respected as they mourn.
EPCR confirmed it would hold a moment of silence ahead of every Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup match this weekend, and it said the Lions squad and management chose to play as planned in honour of their teammate. Andrews had played in all three of the Lions’ United Rugby Championship matches this season, making his first start for the club in Saturday’s 57-15 defeat by the Bulls.
Investigation and wider rugby
The La Rochelle prosecutor’s office opened an investigation to determine the cause of death, and local reports claimed Andrews suffered a heart attack while in the shower. France 24 said a source close to the investigation told AFP that Andrews was found in cardiac arrest in a shower cubicle that was locked from the inside, and it said an autopsy was due to be carried out. The Lions said the match would be played in his memory, and the club’s statement said, "The Lions Rugby Company is deeply shocked by the death of player Hyron Andrews."
The South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander said, "There are no words to adequately convey our shock and the depth of sympathy we feel for his wife Maighlin," and he said the Lions rugby community shared in the grief. The death also came "10 years" after Munster coach Anthony Foley died in Paris before a Champions Cup fixture, and the BBC said Foley, 42, died in his sleep on the eve of a match against Racing 92 after a heart condition caused fluid to build up in his lungs.