Hyron Andrews, former Sale lock, dies aged 31 ahead of Lions' Champions Cup tie

Hyron Andrews, the former Sale and Johannesburg Lions lock, has died aged 31 at the team’s hotel in France.

SA Rugby said his death was an accident after a fall, BBC reported. He was found unresponsive in a shower cubicle at the hotel on the Île de Ré, off the west coast of France, where the Lions were staying before their Champions Cup match in La Rochelle, according to AOL.

The Lions were preparing for their first appearance in Europe’s premier club competition. That is the annual tournament for the top club sides from England, France and the United Rugby Championship.

The team will still play La Rochelle on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:30 BST. The Lions said they will fulfil the fixture in Andrews’ honour.

A moment’s silence will be observed at all opening-round Champions Cup fixtures following his death.

Andrews, a second row, played in the engine room of the scrum and was a key target in the lineout, the set-piece throw used to restart play after the ball goes out. He made 45 appearances for Sale after joining in February 2024 from the Durban-based Sharks.

He arrived in England as injury cover for England international Jonny Hill. He left Sale in the summer to return to his native South Africa and join the Lions.

Andrews represented the Junior Springboks in 2015. He had not earned a senior international cap for South Africa.

The Lions, based at Ellis Park in Johannesburg and led by chief executive Rudolf Straeuli, are newcomers to the Champions Cup this season. La Rochelle were due to host them in western France.

Andrews is survived by his wife Maighlin and their sons, Hendrix and Emerson.