Lions hooker Hyron Andrews dies at 31 while on France tour
South African rugby player Hyron Andrews died at age 31 during a team tour in France, prompting condolences from SA Rugby and his former club Sale Sharks.
Key points
- Hyron Andrews, a 31-year-old hooker for the South African Lions, died on Friday, October 16, while the team was on tour in France.
- SA Rugby president Mark Alexander described the news as devastating and offered condolences to Andrews's wife, Maighlin, and family.
- Andrews was born in Paarl and represented South Africa in 2015 as a member of the Junior Springboks.
- He played 45 matches for Sale Sharks in England after joining in 2024 before returning to South Africa to join the Lions.
- Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson remembered Andrews as an outstanding player and teammate.
Hyron Andrews, a 31‑year‑old hooker for the South African Lions, died on Friday 16 October while the team was on tour in France.
SA Rugby expressed its condolences to Andrews’s family. Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, said the news was devastating and offered condolences to Andrews’s wife Maighlin, extended family, friends, teammates and loved ones.
Andrews was born in Paarl and attended Hoërskool Garsfontein in Pretoria. He represented South Africa in 2015 as a member of the Junior Springboks.
His professional career included a stint with the Sharks in Durban and a period with Sale Sharks in England, where he played 45 matches after joining in 2024.
He returned to South Africa at the end of the 2025/26 season to join the Lions.
Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson remembered Andrews as an outstanding player and teammate who made a special impression through his personality.
Your questions, answered
How did Hyron Andrews die?
Hyron Andrews died on Friday, October 16, while the South African Lions team was on tour in France.
Which teams did Hyron Andrews play for?
Andrews played for the Sharks in Durban, Sale Sharks in England, and the South African Lions.
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