By Rugby is in mourning after former Sale Sharks lock Hyron Andrews, 31, died at his Johannesburg Lions team hotel ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup match against La Rochelle. SA Rugby confirmed his death was an “accident,” stating that the South African second row “died after a fall.”
Hyron Andrews (Credits: BBC)
A Cherished Lion
Andrews had only recently rejoined the South African game, signing for the Johannesburg-based Lions for this season after leaving Sale in the summer. Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli said the club was heartbroken by the passing of a player he described as not only gifted on the field but a cherished member of the Lions family. On behalf of the club’s chairman, board, and staff, he extended deepest sympathies to Andrews’ wife Maighlin and their two young sons, Hendrix and Emerson, promising the club stands with the family in their sorrow and will remember Hyron with great affection and respect.
The Lions confirmed they will still fulfil their fixture against La Rochelle, which kicks off at 17:30 BST, playing the match in Andrews’ honour. A moment’s silence will also be observed at all of the opening round’s fixtures across the competition.
Tributes Pour In
South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander called it “terrible and distressing news,” saying his heart went out to Hyron’s family and the whole Lions rugby community. “There are no words to adequately convey our shock and the depth of sympathy we feel for his wife Maighlin, and for his extended family, friends, team-mates and loved ones during this time of immense sorrow,” he said, calling the 31-year-old’s untimely passing a devastating loss.
Former club Sale Sharks paid their own moving tribute through director of rugby Alex Sanderson, who called Andrews “a brilliant guy and a brilliant team-mate.” Sanderson recalled a player who was highly skilled on the pitch and, off it, “funny and charismatic in his own unique, dry way,” someone the players loved being around. He noted that the move to England had been a big one for Hyron and Maighlin, but that the family truly made a second home in Manchester. “Most importantly, he was a loving husband to Maighlin and a doting father to his two gorgeous boys,” Sanderson said. “It was an absolute privilege to get to know him.”
Andrews made 45 appearances for Sale after arriving in February 2024 from the Durban-based Sharks as injury cover for England international lock Jonny Hill. While he never earned senior international honours, he represented the Junior Springboks in 2015. His death comes poignantly 10 years on from the sudden death of Munster coach Anthony Foley in Paris ahead of a Champions Cup fixture — a reminder of how tightly the rugby world holds its own.
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Source: BBC — read the full story there.
