# Death of rugby player Hyron Andrews in France > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20261018-death-of-rugby-player-hyron-andrews-in-france > Updated: 2026-10-21T13:44:36.000Z. Sources: 61. Developments: 3. Hyron Andrews, a 31-year-old South African rugby player, died in France while his team was preparing for an Investec Champions Cup fixture. Initial reports indicated he was found unresponsive in a hotel shower cubicle on Île de Ré, with authorities in La Rochelle opening an investigation. While early hypotheses suggested a possible cardiac event, subsequent information from the South African Rugby Union stated that Andrews died following a fall at the team hotel. In response to the tragedy, the scheduled match between his team and La Rochelle proceeded as a tribute. The event included a guard of honour, a minute of silence, and the placement of Andrews’ number 5 jersey on the pitch. La Rochelle won the match 31–14. An autopsy conducted by French authorities has since confirmed that Andrews died of natural causes. The medical examination determined the cause of death was an aortic dissection, likely resulting from an aortic aneurysm, which caused a significant accumulation of blood in the sac surrounding the heart. The findings were released by the Lions on behalf of the Andrews family. Andrews, who previously played for Sale Sharks and KZN Sharks and represented South Africa at the Under-20 level, is survived by his wife, Maighlin, and two young sons. Efforts to repatriate his body to South Africa have commenced. ## Claims - Hyron Andrews died of natural causes. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The cause of death was an aortic dissection. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The tear in the aorta led to blood filling the sac surrounding the heart. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Hyron Andrews was 31 years old. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Andrews was found in a shower cubicle at his team's hotel. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Lions played their match against La Rochelle in his honour. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The repatriation process to South Africa has begun. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The dissection most likely occurred on an aortic aneurysm. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-21: Lions rugby player Hyron Andrews died of aortic dissection Lions rugby player Hyron Andrews died of an aortic dissection, likely caused by an aneurysm, according to an autopsy performed in France. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hyron-andrews-died-of-natural-causes-autopsy-reveals ### 2026-10-18: Rugby player Hyron Andrews dies after fall in France South African rugby player Hyron Andrews died following a fall at his team's hotel in France. Lyon honored the 31-year-old lock with a minute of silence before their Champions Cup match against La Rochelle. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rugby-player-hyron-andrews-dies-after-fall-in-france ### 2026-10-16: Hyron Andrews, Lions rugby player, dies in France South African rugby player Hyron Andrews, 31, died in a hotel shower in France ahead of the Lions' Champions Cup debut. The team played their match against La Rochelle in his honour. 54 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/johannesburg-lions-player-dies-in-hotel-ahead-of-champions-cup-match --- Cite as: Death of rugby player Hyron Andrews in France. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20261018-death-of-rugby-player-hyron-andrews-in-france