Former Sale Sharks second-row Hyron Andrews has died at his Johannesburg Lions team hotel ahead of their Champions Cup fixture in La Rochelle. In an interview with the Mapantsula a Rugby Show,, external published earlier this week, Andrews talked about the various Johannesburg attractions he has visited since arriving in the city.
SA Rugby issued a statement confirming that the 31-year-old player passed away following an accidental fall.
Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli expressed deep sorrow over the loss, extending condolences on behalf of the board, chairman Altmann Allers, and the entire club to Andrews’ wife Maighlin, their young sons Hendrix and Emerson, and the wider family. We stand with them in their sorrow and will remember Hyron with great affection and respect. And for his extended family, friends, team-mates and loved ones during this time of immense sorrow, there are no words to adequately convey our shock and the depth of sympathy we feel for his wife Maighlin. Dry way and the lads, to a man, loved playing with him and being around him, he was funny and charismatic in his own unique. It was incredible to see how he and his family embraced the club and area. He was a loving husband to Maighlin and a doting father to his two gorgeous boys, most importantly. It’s good to decompress, get away and spend some time with the family,” he said, we work hard here.
South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander also paid tribute, describing the passing as a devastating loss for the rugby community and offering heartfelt sympathies to the player’s loved ones. It was an absolute privilege to get to know him and it’s just absolutely devastating for everyone.
Despite the tragedy, the Lions confirmed they will proceed with their fixture against La Rochelle at 17:30 BST to honour Andrews, while a moment of silence will be observed across all opening-round matches.
Andrews joined Sale Sharks in February 2024 from the Durban-based Sharks as injury cover for England international lock Jonny Hill, making 45 appearances before returning to South Africa at the end of last season. He was always someone you would want to have a beer with, he was so skilled on the field but off it.
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson remembered him as a brilliant teammate and character who quickly established a second home in Manchester alongside his family, earning the admiration of players and staff alike.
During his career, Andrews played alongside numerous Springbok World Cup winners in Durban and represented the Junior Springboks in 2015, though he did not earn a senior international cap.
His death coincides with the ten-year anniversary of former Munster coach Anthony Foley passing away in Paris ahead of a Champions Cup match. Andrews’ death comes 10 years on from the sudden death of Munster coach Anthony Foley in Paris before a Champions Cup fixture. Foley, 42, died in his sleep on the eve of a match against Racing 92 after a heart condition caused fluid to build up in his lungs. Featuring the Munster club crest and Foley’s shirt number eight as part of their pre-match routine at their match against Racing on Saturday, munster’s present-day players will wear commemorative tops. Making his first start for his new club in Saturday’s 57-15 defeat by the Bulls, andrews had played in all three games.
The Johannesburg Lions are currently competing in Europe’s premier club competition for the first time following the inclusion of South African sides in the 2022-23 season, having previously won two of their opening three United Rugby Championship fixtures.
