Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has described the sudden death of Lions rugby player Hyron Andrews as a “very cruel thing”, paying an emotional tribute to the 31-year-old who died in France on Friday, 16 October.
Andrews died on the eve of the Lions’ Investec Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle, leaving the South African rugby fraternity in mourning.
McKenzie, in a statement issued by his department on Friday, expressed his condolences to the player’s family, friends and teammates.
GAYTON MCKENZIE PAYS TRIBUTE TO HYRON ANDREWS
“Hyron played in a position that asks for nothing but courage: the work nobody sees and the hits nobody counts. He gave that to the Sharks, to Sale, to the Junior Boks and to the Lions, without complaint,” McKenzie said.
“To lose him at 31, far from home, on the day before a match his teammates had worked so hard towards, is a very cruel thing.”
Andrews joined the Lions at the start of the season following a spell with Sale Sharks in England.
He had already featured in every one of the Lions’ United Rugby Championship (URC) matches this season.
Before moving abroad, he spent nearly a decade representing the Sharks in Durban and was part of the Junior Springboks squad in 2015.
Media Statement
— Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (@SportArtsCultur) October 16, 2026
Attention: All Media, Editors and Journalists
Friday, 16 October 2026
MINISTER McKENZIE MOURNS THE PASSING OF LIONS LOCK HYRON ANDREWS
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, has learnt with deep sadness of the passing of Lions lock Hyron… pic.twitter.com/HQAwJphjCp
‘SOUTH AFRICA IS BEHIND YOU’
McKenzie also sent a message of support to the Lions squad ahead of Saturday’s fixture against La Rochelle.
“My heart goes out to his family, who have received news no family should ever have to receive, and to his friends and everyone at the Lions and in the wider rugby community who knew him.”
The minister acknowledged the emotional toll Andrews’ death would have on his teammates, who were preparing to take the field less than 48 hours after the tragedy.
“To the Lions players who must take the field in La Rochelle tomorrow: you will be carrying a terrible weight, but you will not be carrying it alone. South Africa is behind you.”
The Lions have decided to proceed with the fixture in honour of Andrews.
A moment’s silence is expected ahead of European rugby fixtures this weekend.
WHAT HAPPENED TO HYRON ANDREWS?
The circumstances surrounding Andrews’ death remain under investigation in France.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has urged the public and media to respect the family’s privacy and avoid speculation while French authorities establish what happened.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander also extended his condolences.
“This is terrible and distressing news; our hearts go out to Hyron’s family and the whole Lions rugby community,” Alexander said.
Andrews, affectionately known as “Ice” by former teammates, leaves behind his wife, Maighlin, and their two sons, Hendrix and Emerson.
McKenzie ended his tribute with a final message: “May his soul rest in peace.”