A drama that affected the world of rugby this Friday. A South African player from the Johannesburg Lions was found dead Friday morning in a hotel on Île de Ré (Charente-Maritime), on the eve of a Champions Cup rugby match against La Rochelle. And the province of Johannesburg revealed his name: it is Hyron Andrews, second row aged 31. His name was revealed later than the announcement of the tragedy because his family had not yet been informed.
Rudolf Straeuli, a former Springbok turned Lions general manager, said in a statement: “We are devastated by Hyron’s passing. He was not only a talented rugby player, but also a much-loved member of the Lions family, whom he had recently joined this season. On behalf of our President, Altmann Allers, the Board of Directors and the entire Lions, I extend our deepest condolences to Maiglin, their young sons Hendrix and Emerson, and the entire Andrews family. We share their pain and will remember Hyron with affection and respect.”
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“This devastating news has sent shock waves through the international rugby community. A former Durban Sharks and Sale Sharks second row, Hyron Andrews was a valuable member of the Lions family. His passing will leave a huge void with his teammates, his coaches, his supporters and all those who had the privilege of knowing him,” says the South African province.
Hyron Andrews (2.02 m for 108 kg) had spent most of his career in South Africa, with the Durban Sharks, before trying to freelance for a little over two years in England, with the Sale Sharks, in the suburbs of Manchester, where he had participated in 45 matches. Before joining Durban, he began his training within the Pretoria Bulls youth teams, becoming an U20 international. With the Baby Boks, he participated in the 2015 World Cup, which South Africa finished in third place.
“In honor of Hyron, the Lions will play their match tomorrow evening”
Returning to South Africa this season, Andrews joined the Johannesburg Lions, with whom he quickly established himself in the rotation. Coming into play during the first two days of the United Rugby Championship (URC), he started during the heavy defeat against the Bulls (15-57). The player was found unresponsive on Friday morning in the hotel on the Ile de Ré, where his team was staying. Emergency services were unable to resuscitate him. He leaves behind his wife Maiglin and their two young sons, Hendrix and Emerson.
The match on the first day of the Champions Cup between La Rochelle and the Lions will take place on Saturday (6:30 p.m.) at the Deflandre stadium, “in honor” of Hyron Andrews. “In honor of Hyron, the Lions will play their Champions Cup match tomorrow evening (Saturday) against La Rochelle, indicate the Lions. After this announcement, the lineups for the La Rochelle-Lions match, the only ones that had not been made, were made official by the EPCR, organizer of the competition.
Dominic McKay, President of the EPCR, said: “The thoughts of all members of the EPCR and the rugby community are with Hyron’s wife, Maiglin, his sons, his family, his friends, his teammates, the Lions and all those who knew and loved him, at this extremely difficult time.” In memory of Hyron, a minute's silence will be observed before each Champions Cup and Challenge Cup match this weekend.
