Death of Hyron Andrews ‘created this really difficult place to survive, think, thrive and play rugby in’

Lions assistant, forwards and mental coach Wessel Roux believes the team has prepared well for Friday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Glasgow Warriors on Friday, but admitted the effects of a tragic tour still linger within the team.

Saying the Lions have had a difficult month is an understatement. The Johannesburg team has only won one match in four fixtures, losing two in Europe against La Rochelle (31-14) and Edinburgh (31-10).

At this time of year, Europe is incredibly cold and wet. While the Sharks are also battling that continent’s weather on their tour, the Lions are also dealing with the shock of the death of lock Hyron Andrews in a hotel room in La Rochelle from an aortic dissection a little over 10 days ago.

This week promises to pose an even chillier challenge, as the Lions are visit Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow to face off against former Springboks and now Warriors coach Franco Smith.

Despite such a challenging tour, Roux remains adamant the team can play to the best of their abilities under the circumstances.

“Glasgow is a really quality side, so it’s a really difficult team, like most teams in Europe,” he said.

“We’re looking at the weekend, we’re looking at trying to be our best selves and to try to play the rugby we can play. Just to really fight for belief and confidence and surviving through the difficult tour we had.

“Our training has been good, preparation has been good. So we’ve tried to really focus on what the job is and how to go forward.”

Roux admitted the nature of the tour they have had has taken some toll on the team.

I think everybody is reacting towards the tragedy and what happened at La Rochelle in their own different way.

—  Wessel Roux

“Our tour started, and then La Rochelle was a really difficult week for us. I think we played well under the circumstances, but ... we had and a tough week and we knew it was going to be a difficult one to recover after that week and what happened there. We knew Edinburgh was going to be really difficult to focus on.

“I think everybody is reacting towards the tragedy and what happened at La Rochelle in their own different way.

“But I mean, it’s madness to think it’s something that happened to us about 10 days ago and just kind of forgetting about it; that’s impossible. It just created this really difficult place to survive and to think and to thrive and to play rugby in.”

In Saturday’s action in fifth round of the URC, the Bulls host the Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld and Stormers are at home to Ulster at Cape Town Stadium. The Sharks travel to Thomond Park in Limerick to meet Munster.

URC fixtures

Friday:

• Connacht v Leinster, The Sportsground (9.45pm)
• Glasgow Warriors v Lions (9.45pm)

Saturday:

• Stormers v Ulster, Cape Town Stadium (2.45pm)
• Bulls v Llanelli Scarlets, Loftus Versfeld (5pm)
• Benetton Rugby v Edinburgh, Stadio Comunale di Monigo (5pm)
• Munster v Sharks, Thomond Park (7.30pm)
• Dragons v Zebre, Rodney Parade (7.30pm)
• Ospreys v Cardiff Rugby, St Helen’s (9.45pm)

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