PAARL – The Paulus Joubert Primary School in Huguenot has joined the international rugby community in mourning the sudden death of former learner Hyron Andrews, who passed away in France on Friday ahead of his team’s Champions Cup debut.

Andrews would have been playing for the Johannesburg-based Lions team against the French team, La Rochelle.

In a heartfelt tribute, Kenneth Uren, school principal, expressed the school community’s deep sadness at the tragic loss of the 31-year-old lock forward. “Hyron, a talented rugby player from Paarl, carved a special path in the professional rugby world with his dedication, perseverance and passion for rugby,” Uren wrote in the letter to the school community.

The school confirmed that Andrews, who attended the primary school in the Paarl area, went on to represent the Sharks, Sale Sharks and the Lions, and also had the privilege of representing South Africa at Under-20 level. “His passing is a great loss, not only for his family and loved ones, but also for the rugby community and all who had the privilege of knowing him,” the principal added.

Andrews was found dead at the Hôtel Atalante on the Île de Ré on Friday morning, 16 October, just hours before the Lions were due to make their Champions Cup debut against La Rochelle. The Johannesburg-based franchise confirmed the devastating news in a statement released on Friday afternoon.

“This devastating news has sent shockwaves through the international rugby community,” the Lions said. “The former Sharks and Sale Sharks lock forward was a valued member of the Lions family, and his loss will be felt profoundly by his teammates, coaches, supporters and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Andrews had only returned to his native South Africa earlier this year after two years with English Premiership side Sale Sharks, where he played 45 matches after initially joining as injury cover at the end of the 2023-24 season. He began his career with the Sharks franchise in Durban.

Condolences from all over

Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli paid an emotional tribute to the player who had only recently joined the franchise. “We are heartbroken by the passing of Hyron. He was not only a gifted rugby player, but also a cherished member of our Lions family,” Straeuli said.

“On behalf of our chairman, Altmann Allers, the board and everyone at the Lions, I extend our deepest sympathies to Maiglin, their young sons Hendrix and Emerson, and the entire Andrews family. We stand with them in their sorrow and will remember Hyron with great affection and respect.”

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander also sent his condolences. “This is terrible and distressing news; our hearts go out to Hyron’s family and the whole Lions rugby community,” Alexander said. “Hyron was a respected member of the rugby community whose contribution to the game and impact on those around him will be remembered with great fondness.”

Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson also paid tribute: “Hyron was just a brilliant guy and a brilliant teammate. He was so skilled on the field, but off it, he was always someone you would want to have a beer with. He was funny and charismatic in his own unique, dry way and the lads, to a man, loved playing with him and being around him.”

In an agonising decision, the Lions confirmed that Saturday’s Champions Cup match against La Rochelle would proceed as scheduled, with the team choosing to honour their fallen teammate by taking the field.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) confirmed that a minute’s silence will be observed before every Champions Cup and Challenge Cup fixture over the weekend in Andrews’ memory.

The tragedy occurred exactly 10 years to the day since the sudden death of former Munster coach Anthony Foley, who died in his sleep aged 42 from a heart rhythm disorder just hours before his team were due to play Racing 92 in Paris in the same competition.

Paarl mourns loss

From his primary school in Paarl, the Paulus Joubert community expressed their hope that Andrews’ family would find strength in treasured memories. “May you find strength and comfort in the love of those around you and in the precious memories of Hyron. His legacy as a talented sportsman and the memories he leaves behind will live on,” the school’s tribute read.

“Rest in peace, Hyron. Our hearts are with the Andrews family.”

The public prosecutor in La Rochelle, western France, confirmed that an investigation had been opened to determine the cause of death. A source close to the investigation said Andrews was found in cardiac arrest in a shower cubicle that was locked from the inside.

An accidental death is currently the leading line of inquiry, and an autopsy is due to be carried out.

Additional sources: AFP, KickOff, IOL, NovaSports

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