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investec-champions-cup
Lions athlete Hyron Andrews has sadly passed away in France on the eve of his team’s opening match in the Investec Champions Cup against La Rochelle.
The club has confirmed the tragic news that Andrews was the player involved in multiple reports emerging from France on Friday concerning a player’s sudden death at the team hotel.
Reports indicated that the 6’8 second-row was discovered unresponsive at the Lions lodging on Île de Ré, where the South African squad had been preparing for Saturday’s game.
On Friday morning, the French media source Ici La Rochelle reported that the former Sale Sharks and Hollywood Bet Sharks forward was found in a shower cubicle and could not be revived despite the efforts of emergency personnel.
As per those reports, emergency responders were summoned to the Atalante Relais Thalasso Hotel in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré shortly after 10:20 am local time. The 31-year-old was reported to have been in cardiac arrest when help arrived and was subsequently announced dead.
A statement from the Lions reads: “The Lions Rugby Company is filled with sorrow over the death of player Hyron Andrews while on tour with the 10bet Lions ahead of their Investec Champions Cup and Vodacom United Rugby Championship games.
“This heartbreaking news has reverberated throughout the international rugby community. The former Sharks and Sale Sharks lock forward was an esteemed member of the Lions family, and his absence will be deeply felt by his teammates, coaches, fans, and all who had the honor of knowing him.
“Our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences are extended to Hyron’s wife, Maiglin, their young children, and the entire Andrews clan. We keep them in our thoughts during this period of unimaginable sorrow and request that their privacy be honored as they mourn.”
CEO Rudolf Straeuli commented: “We are devastated by the loss of Hyron. He was not only an exceptional rugby player but also a treasured part of our Lions family, having just joined this season. On behalf of our Chairman, Mr. Altmann Allers, the board, and everyone at the Lions, I offer our deepest sympathies to Maiglin, their young sons Hendrix and Emerson, and the entire Andrews family. We are united with them in their grief and will cherish the memory of Hyron with great fondness and respect.”
The statement further notes: “The Lions Rugby Company will share additional details concerning a suitable tribute in the future. In memory of Hyron, the 10bet Lions are set to proceed with their initial match of the Investec Champions Cup against La Rochelle tomorrow evening (18:30) South African time.”
This incident occurs on the tenth anniversary of the unexpected death of then Munster head coach Anthony Foley, who succumbed to cardiac-related issues in a French hotel while touring with the Irish province.
The former Ireland and Munster No.8 passed away unexpectedly at age 42 in October 2016 while with the team in Paris ahead of a Champions Cup encounter against Racing 92.
La Rochelle themselves faced a cardiac emergency last season when former France tighthead Uini Atonio suffered a life-threatening heart attack that ended his rugby career.
The Lions aimed to rebound from last week’s heavy defeat against the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship and arrived in France for a three-match European tour led by captain Francke Horn, but this tragic event may disrupt those plans significantly.
