Lions look to put emotional week behind them as they gear up for Edinburgh
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named his matchday 23 to face United Rugby Championship leaders Edinburgh on Friday.
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."
South African Team of the Week: Champions Cup & Challenge Cup Round 1
South Africa's five franchises produced a highly encouraging opening weekend across Europe's two club competitions, even if they didn't all come away with wins.
Van Rooyen praises Lions' character and global support after emotional Champions Cup debut
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen paid tribute to the character of both Hyron Andrews and his grieving squad after they chose to play their Champions Cup opener against La Rochelle.
French authorities probe Hyron Andrews' death as rugby pays tribute this weekend
French authorities have opened an investigation into the death of Lions lock Hyron Andrews, who died at the team's hotel on the Île de Ré on Friday morning.