Lions Coach Shares Honest Assessment of Team’s Struggle After Hyron Andrews’ Death
- The Lions are trying to return their attention to rugby after a deeply difficult week that changed their European campaign
- Julian Redelinghuys has explained why the team is taking things one day at a time ahead of their Edinburgh clash
- The support from across the rugby community has helped the players and management navigate an experience without a clear playbook
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The Lions are trying to refocus on rugby after the sudden death of lock Hyron Andrews, with assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys admitting the team has no clear guide for handling such a loss. The Johannesburg-based side is preparing to face Edinburgh on Friday, 23 October 2026, after a difficult week in France.
Andrews, 31, died shortly before the Lions' historic Investec Champions Cup debut against La Rochelle. The team played on Saturday, 17 October, in honour of their teammate but lost 31-14 at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
Speaking on Tuesday, 20 October, Redelinghuys reflected on the support the Lions had received from the rugby community.
“To say it was a rough week is probably an understatement, but the support we received from almost everyone was huge,” Redelinghuys said, as quoted by SA Rugby Magazine.
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Julian Redelinghuys explains the Lions' grief process
The former Springbok prop said the response from the club's leadership, players, coaches and supporters had helped the team find some closure.
“The sorrow everyone felt, and the way it was handled, felt authentic,” he said.
Redelinghuys also stressed that players process grief differently. The team made counselling available as soon as possible to help individuals cope with the loss.
“Everyone grieves differently. You have to respect everyone’s process,” he explained.
He added that the Lions' priority from the start was to act respectfully towards Andrews' family while supporting their own players.
Source: Twitter
Lions prepare for Edinburgh clash without a manual
With the Lions set to face Edinburgh at Hive Stadium on Friday, 23 October, Redelinghuys admitted that returning to competitive rugby so soon after Andrews’ death presented an unfamiliar challenge.
“We’ve been saying this since it happened: there’s no manual for this. We don’t know how the players are going to respond,” he said.
He explained that the coaching staff could only support the squad and make decisions they believed would help the players through the difficult period.
Meanwhile, Lions media liaison Nyaniso Sam confirmed that Andrews’ family would guide any communication about the release of his body following the autopsy in France. Chief executive Rudolf Straeuli has visited Andrews’ widow and their two children in South Africa.
As the Lions continue their European tour, the team must balance its upcoming fixtures with the grieving process following the loss of their teammate.
Lions retire Hyron Andrews’ No. 5 jersey in emotional tribute
Briefly News previously reported that the Lions retired Hyron Andrews’ No. 5 jersey for the remainder of their European campaign after he died in France.
The tribute took place during their Investec Champions Cup clash against La Rochelle on Saturday, 17 October. Andrews’ jersey was placed on the pitch before kick-off as players and supporters observed a minute of silence.
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Source: Briefly News
