Lions lock Hyron Andrews dies aged 31

The La Rochelle prosecutor has opened an inquiry to establish the cause of death.

La Rochelle prosecutor Arnaud Laraize told AFP that an accidental death was the favoured hypothesis. The Lions confirmed his identity in the afternoon, sending their condolences to his wife, Maiglin, and their two young sons.

A game in tribute

“In honour of Hyron, the Lions will play their match tomorrow evening,” the South African franchise said, in what is their first ever Champions Cup campaign. A minute’s silence will be held before every Champions Cup and Challenge Cup game this weekend.

Almost a decade at the Sharks

Born in Paarl and schooled in Pretoria, Hyron Andrews joined the Sharks academy in Durban in 2014 after representing South Africa Schools. He played 135 games for the Sharks over almost a decade, in Super Rugby, the Currie Cup and the URC, and played at the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship. He then joined Sale in England in 2024, playing 42 games in two and a half seasons, before signing for the Lions this summer.