Lions lock Hyron Andrews dies before Champions Cup fixture in France
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The Lions' Hyron Andrews in action against New Zealand during a lineout at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Aug 25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Lions lock Hyron Andrews, 31, died at the team hotel in France on Oct 16 before the Champions Cup match against La Rochelle.
- The Lions said the game will still go ahead “in honour of Hyron” and sent condolences to his wife, Maiglin, their young sons, and the Andrews family.
- EPCR chair Dominic McKay and La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara offered condolences. Andrews had played for Sale Sharks and South Africa Under-20s.
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CAPE TOWN – Lions lock Hyron Andrews died at the team hotel on Oct 16, the day before the South African club are due to play French side La Rochelle in the European Champions Cup, a fixture that will go ahead in his honour, the team said.
French media reported that Andrews, 31, was found unconscious in a shower cubicle at a hotel on the Ile de Re in France, where the team had been staying since Oct 13.
Emergency services were called shortly after 10am and attended to the player, who was in cardiorespiratory arrest. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, the reports added.
“His loss will be felt profoundly by his teammates, coaches, supporters and all who had the privilege of knowing him,” the Lions said in a statement.
“Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go to Hyron’s wife, Maiglin, their young sons, and the entire Andrews family.
“We hold them in our thoughts during this time of unimaginable grief and ask that their privacy be respected as they mourn.”
The Lions gave no details about the circumstances of Andrews’ death but confirmed that the Oct 17 game will go ahead.
“In honour of Hyron, the Lions will fulfil their opening match of the Champions Cup against La Rochelle,” the team statement added.
Andrews had a spell with the Sale Sharks in England and played for the South African under-20 side, but was not a capped senior international.
European Professional Club Rugby chairman Dominic McKay said in a statement: “The thoughts of everyone at EPCR and the wider international rugby community are with Hyron’s wife Maiglin, his young sons, wider family, friends, teammates, the Lions and all those who knew and loved him at this incredibly difficult time.”
The death comes 10 years to the day after Munster coach Anthony Foley passed away at the age of 42 in his Paris hotel ahead of a Heineken Cup match against compatriot Ronan O’Gara’s Racing 92.
O’Gara is now the coach of La Rochelle and according to Irish media visited the Lions at their hotel on Oct 16 to offer his condolences. REUTERS