Hyron Andrews, a player for the Johannesburg Lions, has died at the team's hotel ahead of their Champions Cup match against La Rochelle scheduled for Saturday.
The news broke while the Lions were preparing for what would have been a significant European fixture. No further details about the circumstances of his death have been shared at this time.
The rugby community is processing the loss of Andrews, whose passing has cast a shadow over the weekend's competition. More details are expected to follow as the story develops.
Originally published by BBC Africa.