South African rugby player Hyron Andrews died at 31 on Friday after being found unresponsive in a shower stall at his team’s hotel on Île de Ré, France, ahead of a Champions Cup match against La Rochelle. His Johannesburg-based club, the Lions Rugby Company, confirmed the death, with president Rudolf Straeuli stating, “The death of Hyron has deeply shaken us. He was not only a talented rugby player but also a valued member of our Lions family, to which he had only joined this season.”
French media reported that resuscitation attempts failed after Andrews was discovered lifeless in the morning. Authorities in La Rochelle launched an investigation, with a prosecutor confirming an autopsy would be conducted; initial indications suggest an accidental death. The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), which oversees the Champions Cup, expressed profound shock in a statement.
The match against La Rochelle was set to proceed as scheduled on Saturday evening, with a minute of silence planned in Andrews’ honor. Tributes also poured in from former teammates, including at English club Sale Sharks, where he previously played. A minute of silence was announced for all European rugby matches this weekend.
