- Maighlin Andrews has shared an emotional message about the future she and her late husband had planned together
- The grieving wife has spoken about their two sons and the support they have received from family, friends and teammates
- Her tribute comes after French authorities confirmed the medical cause of the former Sharks and Lions lock’s death
Source: Twitter
Hyron Andrews’s wife, Maighlin, has paid an emotional tribute to the late rugby player, describing the pain of losing him and the future they had hoped to share. Her message, published on Facebook, came after the Lions confirmed the cause of his death on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
The 31-year-old lock collapsed and died in France last Friday, 16 October, while the Lions were preparing for their European fixture against La Rochelle.
Maighlin Andrews remembers her husband
Maighlin recalled their relationship, which began in Durban about a decade ago when Andrews was playing for the Sharks and she was studying in South Africa through a university exchange programme.
The couple maintained a long-distance relationship for six years before getting engaged in Ireland in 2021. They married in the United States and welcomed two sons.
In her tribute, Maighlin described Andrews as an exceptional father whose family meant everything to him.
“I’m not sure if there will ever be enough words to describe how much you mean to me, our boys, and your family, friends, and teammates all over the world. You were the absolute BEST father, and they were your everything. I know your proudest achievement was our family,” she wrote.
She also reflected on their lost plans and the difficulty of accepting that their time together had ended so soon.
See the Facebook post below:
The Lions announced on Wednesday, 21 October, that an autopsy conducted by French authorities had established the cause of death as an aortic dissection, which most likely occurred in an aorta affected by an abnormal bulge in the artery.
French authorities described it as “a tear in the aorta, due to natural causes, which led to a significant accumulation of blood within the sac surrounding the heart.”
An aortic dissection involves a tear in the aorta's inner layer, the body's main artery.
A family facing an unimaginable loss
Maighlin also praised the kindness and support shown to the family since Andrews’ death.
“I pray that I can raise these boys to be good men like you,” she wrote, adding that the devastation was difficult to express in words.
Her tribute closes a painful chapter for the family, while the outpouring of support reflects the loss felt by those who knew Andrews both personally and through rugby.
Lions coach shares the team’s struggle after Hyron Andrews’ death
Briefly News previously reported that Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys had opened up about the emotional toll of Hyron Andrews’ death, admitting that there was no manual for helping players navigate such a loss.
With Edinburgh next on the schedule, the coach has explained how the squad is approaching the difficult days ahead. His comments offer a glimpse into the challenge facing the team as it balances grief with the demands of professional rugby.
Source: Briefly News