Players from La Rochelle and the Johannesburg-based Lions stood with their heads bowed during a minute’s silence for South African rugby player Hyron Andrews before their Champions Cup match in France. Several players were seen crying as the tribute was held at the Marcel-Deflandre Stadium in La Rochelle.
Andrews, 31, died in France on Friday, the day before the fixture. SA Rugby, the sport’s governing body in South Africa, and the Lions confirmed the death of the lock forward.
Emotional scenes at the Marcel-Deflandre Stadium
The number five shirt once worn by Andrews was placed on the pitch, and his face appeared on the stadium’s big screen alongside his full name, Hyron Diego Andrews. On Saturday, several Lions players wept, while others tilted their heads back and closed their eyes, holding each other tightly around the waist.
After the silence, the crowd broke into spontaneous applause. The French club handed a La Rochelle shirt to the Lions staff. Television images showed Lions players gathering in a circle in their dressing room before they walked out, while La Rochelle players, led by France forward Gregory Alldritt, wore black armbands.
Match went ahead after talks between the clubs
La Rochelle backs coach Remi Tales told the match broadcaster beIN SPORTS that some players from the French side had visited the Lions at their team hotel on Friday to offer support. He added that, after discussions between the two sides, it was agreed the game would go ahead. La Rochelle won the match 31-14.
La Rochelle prosecutor Arnaud Laraize told the Associated Press on Friday that Andrews was found on Friday morning in a shower cubicle that was locked from the inside. He had taken part in a hammam session about an hour earlier. According to his entourage, Andrews had shown no signs of health problems in the preceding days. An investigation into the cause of death has been opened, and an autopsy was due to be carried out.
Tributes from SA Rugby and Sale Sharks
SA Rugby said Andrews died after a fall. He had also played for the KZN Sharks and Sale Sharks in England. Rudolf Straeuli, CEO of SA Rugby, said: “We are heartbroken by the passing of Hyron.” He described Andrews as “a cherished member of our Lions family”, noting that he had only recently joined the team this season.
Sale Sharks also paid tribute, sending heartfelt condolences to Andrews’s wife, their sons, his wider family and friends, and everyone at Lions Rugby. Andrews played 45 times for Sale.
Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson described him as “a brilliant guy and a brilliant teammate”. Sanderson said Andrews was highly skilled on the field and, away from it, someone people wanted to spend time with, with a funny and charismatic dry humour that teammates enjoyed.
