Andrews leaves Sale Sharks to join Lions as they build for Champions Cup rugby

Hyron Andrews is set to return to South Africa after two years at Sale Sharks, joining the Lions in Johannesburg as the United Rugby Championship side prepares for Champions Cup rugby next season.

The 30-year-old lock was among 20 players released by Sale at the end of the month as the Gallagher Premiership club undertook a significant squad overhaul. During his time in Greater Manchester, Andrews made 45 appearances in total, including 19 across all competitions in the season just concluded.

Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen had been monitoring Andrews for several weeks before persuading him to sign. A specialist number five, Andrews will fill the void left by Raynard Roets, who is heading to French Pro D2 side Biarritz on a two-year deal once his Lions contract expires on 1 July.

Andrews brings considerable pedigree to the role, having previously represented the South African Schools team and the Junior Springboks before spending eight years with the Durban-based Sharks. A native of Paarl in the Western Cape, he moved to Sale two years ago before this latest switch back to the southern hemisphere.

The Lions finished seventh in the URC this season, winning 10 of their 18 matches — an improvement of four places on the previous campaign. Alongside Andrews, the club have confirmed the arrival of Springbok loosehead prop Boan Venter from Edinburgh, and van Rooyen is expected to add at least one more signing to his squad. A tighthead prop is believed to be a priority after Asenathi Ntlabakanye received an 18-month suspension.