- French authorities opened an investigation into the death of Lions lock Hyron Andrews after the 31-year-old was found unresponsive in a hotel shower
- South African Rugby confirmed Andrews died after a fall, with La Rochelle's public prosecutor ordering an autopsy into the cause of death
- The Lions went ahead with their Champions Cup match against Stade Rochelais on Saturday, playing in honour of their late teammate
French authorities have launched an investigation into the death of South African rugby player Hyron Andrews, a lock for the Lions, who was found unresponsive in a shower at the team's hotel in the La Rochelle area on Friday morning, 16 October 2026.
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Emergency responders attempted to resuscitate the 31-year-old but were unsuccessful. Andrews was declared dead at the scene.
South African Rugby subsequently confirmed that his death had been an accident, stating that he "died after a fall."
La Rochelle prosecutor opens inquiry
According to a report on Wales Online, the public prosecutor of La Rochelle, Arnaud Laraize, confirmed to AFP that he had opened a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. His office stated that Andrews "was found unresponsive in a shower cubicle located in the hotel's spa area" and that "the shower was locked from the inside."
Authorities noted there were no signs of violence on the body and that the involvement of a third party is not considered a likely scenario at this stage. An autopsy has been ordered, and the gendarmerie has been tasked with leading the investigation. Accidental death remains the primary hypothesis.
Lions and SA Rugby pay tribute
The Lions confirmed Andrews' identity after initial reports withheld his name, and the club announced they would honour him by going ahead with Saturday's Champions Cup fixture against Stade Rochelais.
Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union, expressed the organisation's grief in a formal statement.
Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson described Andrews as "a brilliant guy and a brilliant teammate," adding that he was "a loving husband to Maighlin and a doting father to his two gorgeous boys."
Source: Briefly News
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