Lions Rugby reveals official cause of death of Hyron Andrews

The rugby fraternity was saddened at the shock loss of the 31-year-old, who died in France on the eve of the Lions' Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle. The match still went ahead amid an outpouring of emotional tributes for the slain lock.

Andrews, a former Junior Springbok, earned over 100 Sharks' caps before joining the Johannesburg franchise this season.

On Wednesday, the Lions released an official statement regarding his cause of death.

"Hyron's death was found to be caused by an aortic dissection," it read in part.

"This dissection most likely occurred on an aortic aneurysm. The French authorities, who conducted the autopsy and, in whose care Hyron's body currently remains, described 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 Andrews family asks for respect, privacy and patience during this difficult time as the repatriation process begins.

"A timeline for the return of Hyron's body to South Africa has not yet been determined. Further information will be communicated when it becomes available and under the guidance of the family."

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