Lions confirm Hyron Andrews died from aortic dissection before Champions Cup match

The Lions Rugby Company has confirmed that lock forward Hyron Andrews died from an aortic dissection, following an autopsy conducted by French authorities after the 31-year-old was found unresponsive at the team’s hotel on Île de Ré on the eve of their Champions Cup tie against La Rochelle.

In a statement released on behalf of the Andrews family, the Lions said the autopsy report determined the cause of death as “a tear in the aorta (due to natural causes), which led to a significant accumulation of blood within the sac surrounding the heart.” The dissection is believed to have occurred on an aortic aneurysm.

The 6‘8” second-row was discovered at the hotel where the Johannesburg-based side had been staying ahead of Saturday’s fixture. With the permission of his teammates, who wished to honour the popular lock, the match went ahead — La Rochelle winning 31-14.

The full Lions statement read: “Lions Rugby Company, on behalf of the Andrews family, confirms that, following an autopsy report, Hyron’s death was found to be caused by an aortic dissection. This dissection most likely occurred on an aortic aneurysm.”

The club added that Andrews’ body remains in the care of French authorities while the repatriation process begins. “A timeline for the return of Hyron’s body to South Africa has not yet been determined,” the statement said. “Further information will be communicated when it becomes available and under the guidance of the family.”

The Andrews family has asked for respect, privacy, and patience during what the club described as an extremely difficult time.