The cause of death of Lions lock Hyron Andrews has been confirmed as an aortic dissection, following an autopsy conducted by French authorities after the 31-year-old rugby player died in France last Friday.
The Lions confirmed on Wednesday that the autopsy had established that Andrews suffered an aortic dissection, most likely associated with an aortic aneurysm.
According to the French authorities, the fatal condition involved “a tear in the aorta (due to natural causes), which led to a significant accumulation of blood within the sac surrounding the heart”.
Andrews was found unresponsive in the shower at the team’s hotel on the Île de Ré, a day before the Lions were scheduled to face La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup.
Emergency services were called to the hotel shortly after 10.20am, but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
In a statement released on Wednesday on behalf of Andrews’ family, the Lions said his body remained in the care of French authorities as arrangements were made to repatriate him to South Africa.
“The Andrews family asks for respect, privacy and patience during this difficult time as the repatriation process begins,” the statement read.
The family also confirmed that a timeline for the return of Andrews’ body to South Africa had not yet been determined.
Further information will be communicated when it becomes available and in accordance with the family’s wishes.
Andrews joined the Lions from English club Sale Sharks ahead of the current season and featured in all three of the Johannesburg-based side’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship matches.
He previously represented the Sharks between 2015 and 2024, establishing himself in South African professional rugby before moving to England.
The towering lock also represented the Junior Springboks, making two appearances for the national under-20 side in 2015.
His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the South African rugby community, with teammates, coaches and supporters mourning the loss of a player whose career took him from the domestic game to European rugby.
As the Lions and the broader rugby fraternity come to terms with the tragedy, the focus remains on supporting Andrews’ family as they prepare to bring him home.