Former Sale Sharks second-row Hyron Andrews has died at the age of 31 after a fall at the Johannesburg Lions’ team hotel in South Africa ahead of their European Champions Cup match against La Rochelle on Saturday.
South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) confirmed his death on Friday, describing it as an accident.
Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli expressed sadness over the loss, describing Andrews as a gifted player and a cherished member of the team.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Hyron,” Straeuli said.
“He was not only a gifted rugby player, but also a cherished member of our Lions family, having recently joined us this season.”
Straeuli extended the club’s condolences to Andrews’ wife, Maighlin, their two young sons, Hendrix and Emerson, and the wider family.
“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,” he said.
“We stand with them in their sorrow and will remember Hyron with great affection and respect.”
The Lions are expected to honour Andrews by fulfilling their Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle, which kicks off at 17:30 BST on Saturday. A moment of silence will also be observed at all the opening-round fixtures.
South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander described the news as distressing and expressed sympathy for Andrews’ family, teammates and friends.
“This is terrible and distressing news; our hearts go out to Hyron’s family and the whole Lions rugby community,” Alexander said.
“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, teammates and loved ones during this time of immense sorrow.
“His untimely passing is a devastating loss, and we share in the grief of all who knew and loved him.”
Andrews left Sale Sharks during the summer to return to his native South Africa. He made 45 appearances for the English club after joining in February 2024 from the Durban-based Sharks as injury cover for England international lock Jonny Hill.
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson paid tribute to Andrews, remembering him as a talented player and a popular figure off the field.
“Hyron was just a brilliant guy and a brilliant teammate,” Sanderson said.
“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 said Andrews and his wife had embraced life in England and made Manchester a second home.
“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,” he said.
“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 Andrews did not earn a senior international cap for South Africa, he represented the Junior Springboks in 2015.
He began his professional career with the Sharks in Durban, where he played alongside several players who later became Rugby World Cup winners, including Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Lukhanyo Am.
Andrews had featured in all three of the Lions’ United Rugby Championship matches this season, making his first start for the Johannesburg-based side in their 57-15 defeat to the Bulls on Saturday.
The Lions have won two of their opening three league matches, including a victory over defending champions Leinster, and are making their first appearance in the Champions Cup since South African teams were introduced to the competition in the 2022-23 season.
Andrews’ death also recalls the passing of former Munster coach Anthony Foley, who died aged 42 in Paris in 2016 on the eve of his team’s Champions Cup match against Racing 92.
Munster players will pay tribute to Foley on Saturday by wearing commemorative tops featuring the club crest and his number eight shirt as part of their pre-match routine against Racing.
Earlier this week, Andrews spoke about settling into Johannesburg and enjoying time away from rugby with his family.
“We work hard here; it’s good to decompress, get away and spend some time with the family,” he said in an interview with _Mapantsula a Rugby Show_.
“When the family is happy, you are happy, and it shows when you go to work.”
His death has prompted an outpouring of grief across the rugby community, with tributes highlighting his talent, personality and dedication to his family.