The key facts

  • Hiron Andrews, the 31-year-old Lions lock, was found dead in a hotel on Île de Ré on Friday, on the eve of the Champions Cup match against La Rochelle
  • A source close to the investigation: he was found in cardiac arrest in a shower locked from the inside; the prosecutor's office names accidental death as the main line of inquiry, an autopsy has been ordered
  • The match against La Rochelle will be held 'in Hiron's honour'; a minute's silence will be observed before Champions Cup and Challenge Cup matches

Circumstances of the death

South African rugby player Hiron Andrews, who plays for the Johannesburg club the Lions, was found dead in a hotel in France on Friday, on the eve of his team's Champions Cup match against La Rochelle. Local authorities reported this to AFP. According to a source close to the investigation, the 31-year-old lock was found in a state of cardiac arrest in a shower cubicle locked from the inside. The death occurred on the island of Île de Ré.

Investigation

The prosecutor's office of La Rochelle in western France confirmed that an investigation has been opened to establish the cause of death and said that accidental death is currently the main line of inquiry. According to the source close to the investigation, an autopsy will be performed.

The player's career

Andrews began his career at the Durban-based Sharks franchise and represented South Africa at under-20 level. Earlier this year he returned home after two seasons with the English club Sale Sharks, for whom, according to the club, he played 45 matches, having initially joined as injury cover at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Reaction of clubs and federation

The Lions said the 'devastating news has sent shockwaves through the international rugby community'. The club's chief executive Rudolf Straeuli expressed condolences to the player's wife Maighlin and their young sons Hendrix and Emerson. South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander called Andrews 'a respected member of the rugby community'. Sale's director of rugby Alex Sanderson paid tribute to the player, calling him 'a brilliant guy and a great teammate'.

The match will be held in the player's honour

The Lions said Saturday's match against La Rochelle will go ahead as planned, 'in Hiron's honour'. For the club, this is their first participation in the Champions Cup, which brings together the best European and South African clubs. A minute's silence in memory of Andrews will be observed before all Champions Cup and second-tier Challenge Cup matches this weekend.

Echo of a tragedy from ten years ago

The tragedy occurred exactly 10 years after the sudden death of former Munster head coach Anthony Foley, who died in his sleep at the age of 42 from a heart rhythm disorder a few hours before his team's Champions Cup match against Racing 92 in Paris. La Rochelle head coach Ronan O'Gara was part of the Racing staff in October 2016; Foley was his Ireland teammate.