Hyron Andrews dies from aorta tear before Champions Cup match
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 21, 2026, 3:25 PM
Last updated Oct 21, 2026
Hyron Andrews, a former player for Sale and newly signed with the Johannesburg-based Lions, died at his team's hotel in La Rochelle before a Champions Cup match on October 21, 2026. An autopsy revealed that the 31-year-old died of natural causes, specifically from a tear in the aorta, which led to blood filling the muscle sac surrounding his heart. Andrews was found unconscious in a shower, and investigators initially considered several causes. His team-mates honored him by proceeding with their match, and tributes were paid by his former club Sale, where he played for two and a half seasons. Details regarding the repatriation of his body to South Africa have not yet been finalized.
- •Hyron Andrews found dead in hotel shower before match against La Rochelle.
- •Autopsy confirmed death caused by a tear in the aorta.
- •Tributes held by team-mates and former club Sale in his memory.
- •Family requests privacy during the repatriation process.
- •Andrews recently joined the Lions this summer.
- 4:19 PMESPN Rugby — Autopsy attributed Hyron Andrews' death to torn artery - Lions
- 2:39 PMYahoo Sports — Andrews died of tear in artery around heart - autopsy
- 2:39 PMBBC Sport — Andrews died of tear in artery around heart - autopsy
"Former Sale player Hyron Andrews - who was found dead at his new team's hotel base before a Champions Cup match - died of natural causes, an autopsy finds.
"Former Sale player Hyron Andrews - who was found dead at his new team's hotel base before a Champions Cup match - died of natural causes, an autopsy finds.
"South Africa rugby player Hyron Andrews died of natural causes with the cause of death found to be caused by an aortic dissection, an autopsy has found.
Sources
External links- ESPN RugbyOct 21, 2026, 4:19 PMAutopsy attributed Hyron Andrews' death to torn artery - Lions
South Africa rugby player Hyron Andrews died of natural causes with the cause of death found to be caused by an aortic dissection, an autopsy has found.
- Yahoo SportsOct 21, 2026, 2:39 PMAndrews died of tear in artery around heart - autopsy
Former Sale player Hyron Andrews - who was found dead at his new team's hotel base before a Champions Cup match - died of natural causes, an autopsy finds.
- BBC SportOct 21, 2026, 2:39 PMAndrews died of tear in artery around heart - autopsy
Former Sale player Hyron Andrews - who was found dead at his new team's hotel base before a Champions Cup match - died of natural causes, an autopsy finds.
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