South African rugby player Hyron Andrews dies during French tour

South African rugby player Hyron Andrews died on Friday in France ahead of a European Champions Cup game against French side La Rochelle. Al Jazeera and the Irish Times reported that players from the Johannesburg-based Lions stood with their heads bowed and wept during a minute of silence before the match. SA Rugby and the Lions confirmed the death of the 31-year-old lock forward. [1][3]

The Irish Times reported that Andrews was found unresponsive at the hotel where his team was staying on the Ile de Re and could not be resuscitated. According to the Irish Times and the Independent, SA Rugby issued a statement confirming that Andrews died after a fall at the hotel. No official cause of death has been established. [3][9]

The match was played at the Marcel-Deflandre Stadium in La Rochelle after the Lions decided to proceed with the fixture in memory of their team-mate. Al Jazeera noted that the number five shirt formerly worn by Andrews was placed on the pitch before kickoff alongside a display of his image. [1][3]

Andrews played as a lock forward for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship. The Daily Mail reported that news of his death was also shared with other European clubs, with Sale Sharks head coach Alex Sanderson addressing his squad on Saturday morning regarding the loss. [5][11]