Former Sale Sharks second-row player Hyron Andrews has died at the age of 31 at his team hotel in France ahead of a Champions Cup match. SA Rugby released a statement confirming that his death was an “accident” and occurred after he suffered a fall.
Andrews was in France with his current club, the Johannesburg-based Lions, ahead of their scheduled fixture against La Rochelle on Saturday. Despite the tragic news, the team will fulfill their match, which kicks off at 17:30 BST, in his memory. A moment’s silence will also be held across all opening-round fixtures in the competition.
Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli expressed deep grief over the loss. “We are heartbroken by the passing of Hyron,” Straeuli stated. “He was not only a gifted rugby player, but also a cherished member of our Lions family having recently joined us this season. On behalf of our chairman, Mr Altmann Allers, the board and everyone at the Lions, I extend our deepest sympathies to Maighlin, their young sons Hendrix and Emerson and the entire Andrews family. We stand with them in their sorrow and will remember Hyron with great affection and respect.”
South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander also offered condolences, describing the news as terrible and distressing. He noted that the organization shares in the immense grief felt by Andrews’ wife, children, extended family, teammates, and loved ones following his untimely loss.
The lock originally moved to Sale in February 2024 from the Durban-based Sharks, brought in as injury cover for England international lock Jonny Hill. He quickly established himself in Manchester, making 45 appearances for Sale before returning home to South Africa at the end of last season to join the Lions.
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson paid an emotional tribute to Andrews, praising both his ability and personality. “Hyron was just a brilliant guy and a brilliant team-mate,” Sanderson recalled. “He was so skilled on the field but off it, he was always someone you would want to have a beer with. He was funny and charismatic in his own unique, dry way and the lads, to a man, loved playing with him and being around him.”
Sanderson added that moving to England was a massive step for the family, but they embraced the experience. “It was a big move for Hyron and his wife Maighlin to come to England, but he truly made a second home in Manchester. It was incredible to see how he and his family embraced the club and area. Most importantly, he was a loving husband to Maighlin and a doting father to his two gorgeous boys. It was an absolute privilege to get to know him and it’s just absolutely devastating for everyone.”
Although he was never capped at the senior international level, Andrews had previously represented the Junior Springboks in 2015. His current team, the Ellis Park-based Lions, are making their inaugural appearance in Europe’s top club tournament after South African sides were integrated into continental competitions for the 2022-23 season. They entered the match having won two of their opening three fixtures in this season’s United Rugby Championship, including an impressive victory over defending champions Leinster.
The tragedy occurred almost a decade after Munster coach Anthony Foley died suddenly in Paris before a Champions Cup match. Foley, 42, died in his sleep from fluid buildup in his lungs caused by a heart condition prior to a game against Racing 92. To mark that anniversary on Saturday, current Munster players will wear commemorative tops displaying the club crest and Foley’s number eight shirt during their pre-match routine against Racing. Andrews’ death comes 10 years on from the sudden death of Munster coach Anthony Foley in Paris before a Champions Cup fixture.
