By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
The 10 bet Lions lock Hyron Andrews’ death was caused by an aortic dissection, a tear in the body’s main artery, the South African franchise said.
Andrews, 31, died on Friday on the eve of the Lions’ Champions Cup match with La Rochelle in France.
The Lions said in a statement, Andrews’ death was caused by an aortic dissection. This dissection most likely occurred on an aortic aneurysm.
The French authorities, who conducted the autopsy and in whose care Andrews’ 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 has asked for respect, privacy and patience during this time as the repatriation process begins. A timeline for the return of Andrews’ body to South Africa has not yet been determined.
Lions said, further information will be communicated when it becomes available and under the guidance of the family.
Andrews spent two and a half seasons at Sale Sharks and joined the Lions ahead of the 2026-27 season. His team played the match on Saturday just a day after he died in his honour.