Hyron Andrews: South African rugby player died of natural causes, team statement says

The statement, citing French authorities who conducted the autopsy, said Andrews' death last week at the age of 31 ahead of a game in France was found to be caused by "a tear in the aorta (due to natural causes)".

The aorta is the main artery leading away from the heart.

"The Andrews family asks for respect, privacy and patience during this difficult time as the repatriation process begins," the statement added.

"A timeline for the return of Hyron's body to South Africa has not yet been determined."

Andrews played as a lock for the Johannesburg-based Lions and was found dead at the team's hotel in France last week ahead of a Champions Cup against La Rochelle, a French prosecutor told The Associated Press at the time.

A statement at the time of his death from SA rugby said that Andrews "passed away tragically, following an accident" and that he had "died after falling" at the team hotel.

Andrews' jersey was placed on the field as tribute was paid to him ahead of the game, with several Lions players in tears.

The 31-year-old South African second-row forward had spent the previous two years of his career playing for Sale Sharks in England before returning home this summer to join the Lions.