South African rugby player Hyron Andrews paid emotional tribute in France

Andrews died in France on Friday while on tour with the Johannesburg Lions during the Champions Cup rugby tournament.Published On 18 Oct 202618 Oct 2026Players have stood with their heads bowed, some crying, during a minute’s silence for South African rugby player Hyron Andrews before a Champions Cup game between French side La Rochelle and the Johannesburg-based Lions.Andrews, 31, died in France on Friday on the eve of the game, which was played at the Marcel-Deflandre Stadium in La Rochelle. SA Rugby, the governing body in South Africa, and the Lions confirmed the 31-year-old lock forward’s death.The number five shirt formerly worn by the player was placed on the field, and his face was shown on the big screen inside the stadium with his full name written out: Hyron Diego Andrews.A minute of silence is observed in memory of Hyron Andrews [Phill Magakoe/AFP]Several Lions players were in tears on Saturday while others tilted their heads back and closed their eyes, grabbing each other tightly by the waist.The crowd at Stade Marcel-Deflandre broke into spontaneous applause after the moment of silence, and a La Rochelle shirt was handed by the French club to the Lions staff.Television...