Hyron Andrews, 31, found dead in a shower at his team's hotel on the eve of the Lions' Champions Cup debut in France

Lock forward Hyron Andrews was discovered unresponsive and in cardiac arrest in a shower cubicle at the Atalante-Relais Thalasso hotel on the Île de Ré at around 10:15am on Friday. Emergency services could not revive him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. A French investigation into the cause of death has been opened, with SA Rugby confirming he died after a fall.

The Lions will play Saturday's Champions Cup opener against La Rochelle 'in honour of Hyron', with a moment's silence to be held before every Champions Cup match this weekend.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said: 'There are no words to adequately convey our shock and the depth of sympathy we feel for his wife Maighlin.'

Andrews, who was born in Paarl and previously played for Sale Sharks and the KZN Sharks, had made three appearances for the Lions this season.