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Rugby player found dead at Lions team hotel before Champions Cup game against La Rochelle

South African side due to play Champions Cup gamePlayer understood to have suffered a cardiac arrestA member of the Lions squad has been found dead in the team’s hotel before the South African side’s Champions Cup game against La Rochelle.…

By Robert Kitson · The Guardian

Published: Friday, 16 October 2026 at 12:35 PM

Key Things to Know

Lions lock Hyron Andrews has died aged 31 following an accidental fall at the team's hotel.
The Lions will play Saturday's Champions Cup match against La Rochelle to honor their teammate.
A moment of silence will be observed across all EPCR tournament matches this weekend.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Johannesburg Lions lock Hyron Andrews has died at age 31 following a tragic accidental fall at the team's hotel on the Île de Ré. Emergency services could not revive Andrews ahead of the team's Champions Cup fixture against La Rochelle. Despite the tragedy, the Lions squad has chosen to play Saturday's match to honor their late teammate.

European Professional Club Rugby confirmed that a moment of silence will be observed before every Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup match this weekend. Andrews previously represented the Junior Springboks, KZN Sharks, and Sale Sharks before returning to South Africa with the Lions.

Read the full article on The Guardian

Rugby player found dead at Lions team hotel before Champions Cup game against La Rochelle

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