Sports Star, 31, Found Dead in the Shower of a Hotel, Hours Before Championship Match

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Hyron Andrews died on Friday, Oct. 16

Sports Star, 31, Found Dead in the Shower of a Hotel, Hours Before Championship Match

Hyron Andrews Credit: Matthew Lewis/Getty

Sat, October 17, 2026 at 2:44 PM UTC·

South African rugby player Hyron Andrews dies ahead of Lions game with La Rochelle

South African rugby player Hyron Andrews died in France on Friday on the eve of the men's European Champions Cup game between the Johannesburg-based Lions and La Rochelle.Both SA Rugby, the governing body in South Africa, and the Lions confirmed the 31-year-old lock forward's identity.

Hyron Andrews: Tributes pour in as Lions confirm rugby star's shock death at team hotel

South African lock, formerly of Sale Sharks, was just 31 years old and is survived by his wife and two sons

Lions lock Hyron Andrews dies at team hotel before Champions Cup game against La Rochelle

Tributes have been paid to Johannesburg Lions’ Hyron Andrews after he died in the team hotel on the eve of their Champions Cup game against La Rochelle

South African rugby player dies on tour after fall at team hotel

The sport has paid tribute to Hyron Andrews, a lock forward for the Lions, who was in France on club duty for the Champions Cup and previously played for his country at Under-20 level, while featuring in the Prem for Sale Sharks

Emotional tribute from players and fans for Hyron Andrews before rugby game in La Rochelle

Players stood with heads bowed and some cried during a minute's silence for South African rugby player Hyron Andrews before Saturday's game between French side La Rochelle and the Johannesburg-based Lions.Andrews died in France on Friday on the eve of the men's European Champions Cup game.

Tragedia estremecedora: un jugador sudafricano muere tras caer desde el hotel donde se alojaba

Former Sale Sharks player found dead at team hotel before game

Hyron Andrews, the former Sale Sharks forward, has been found dead the day before the Johannesburg Lions’ Champions Cup match against La Rochelle.

Un jugador de rugby sudafricano muere antes de un partido en Francia

Un jugador sudafricano de los Lions de Johannesburgo fue hallado muerto este viernes por la mañana en un hotel de la isla de Ré (oeste de Francia), en la víspera de un partido de la Champions Cup contra La Rochelle, informaron autoridades locales a la AFP. Poco después, el mismo club sudafricano confirmó en un comunicado la identidad del fallecido, el segunda línea Hyron Andrews, de 31 años.Pese a este súbito deceso, se mantiene el partido que enfrentará a los dos equipos el sábado a las 16H30 G

Former Sale Sharks lock Andrews dies at team hotel in La Rochelle

Hyron Andrews dies at his Johannesburg Lions' team hotel before their Champions Cup match at La Rochelle on Saturday.

Former Sale lock Andrews dies suddenly, aged 31

FORMER Sale Sharks second row Hyron Andrews died suddenly in France, where his Lions team were preparing for yesterday’s Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle. A statement from SA rugby said Andrews “passed away tragically, following an accident” and that he had “died after falling” at the team hotel. The 31-year-old South African had spent […] The post Former Sale lock Andrews dies suddenly, aged 31 appeared first on The Rugby Paper .

Hyron Andrews Dies On Lions Tour Ahead Of Champions Cup Opener

Lions player Hyron Andrews has died while on tour. His teammates will play Stade Rochelais as scheduled in his honor.

Warriors put on a show to sink Sale

■By ROSS HEPPENSTALL EMOTIONAL Sale boss Alex Sanderson was gutted his side could not honour the memory of popular former lock Hyron Andrews with a win. Andrews died at his Johannesburg Lions’ team hotel before yesterday’s Champions Cup match at La Rochelle. A statement from SA Rugby stated that his death had been an “accident” […] The post Warriors put on a show to sink Sale appeared first on The Rugby Paper .

Teams fall silent to remember Hyron Andrews

By MARK RICHARDSON LA ROCHELLE overcame an emotional Lions side at Stade Marcel-Deflandre as the South African visitors made their Champions Cup debut just a day after the death of teammate Hyron Andrews. Lions produced a courageous performance in difficult circumstances, remaining within striking distance of the two-time European champions for an hour before the […] The post Teams fall silent to remember Hyron Andrews appeared first on The Rugby Paper .

Tributes to Andrews before Champions Cup matches

Lions and Sale Sharks are among the clubs to pay tribute to Hyron Andrews at their matches on Saturday, following the South African's death aged 31.

Lions Play For Hyron Andrews: La Rochelle vs. Lions Champions Cup Lineups

La Rochelle vs. Lions confirmed lineups, kickoff time and how to watch the Oct. 17 Champions Cup opener as the Lions honor teammate Hyron Andrews.

Grieving Sale overwhelmed by Glasgow in first match since Andrews death

Sale’s disappointment at launching their Champions Cup campaign with a home defeat was put into context by the sudden death of their former lock Hyron Andrews.

Champions Cup: Bath level with Montpellier, Munster lead Racing 92

Bath face Montpellier and Munster host Racing 92 to close out a busy day of Champions Cup action.

Gloucester and holders Bordeaux level in thrilling Champions Cup opener - radio & text

Gloucester are playing reigning champions Bordeaux Begles in the opening match of the 2026-27 Champions Cup.

Glasgow record bonus-point win at emotion-filled Sale

Glasgow Warriors pull away to record an impressive bonus-point victory over Sale Sharks in the Investec Champions Cup at an emotional CorpAcq Stadium.

Thomond move for Foley tributes 'not practicable'

Munster Rugby defends the decision to play Saturday's European opener at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, amid criticism that tributes to Anthony Foley will be held away from Thomond Park.