A South African Lions rugby player has been found dead at the team's hotel in France on the morning of their first-ever Champions Cup match against La Rochelle, according to multiple French reports. The match is now expected to be postponed.
Player found unresponsive at hotel
The player, part of the South African club's squad, died suddenly on Friday morning. French media reported that the player was found unresponsive in a shower cubicle at the team's hotel in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré. Paramedics attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Initial reports did not reveal the player's identity, only stating that he was in his thirties, reports Wales Online. Hotel management informed ICI La Rochelle that a psychological support unit has been established within the hotel for both staff and members of the South African team.
Match expected to be postponed
The Lions had been preparing for their debut appearance in the Champions Cup, set to face Stade Rochelais on Saturday. In light of the circumstances, it is anticipated that the match will be postponed.
The tragic news arrives exactly 10 years after former Ireland international Anthony Foley's death. The Munster head coach died in his sleep just a day before his team were scheduled to play Racing 92 in their opening Champions Cup match in 2016. That match was also postponed.
Tributes planned and support offered
A decade later, Munster are planning to pay tribute to Foley ahead of their match this weekend. Foley's former Munster and Ireland colleague, Ronan O'Gara, was a member of Racing's coaching team back in 2016. The former British and Irish Lions fly-half currently serves as the head coach for Stade Rochelais.
Reports from Ireland suggest that O'Gara is set to visit the Lions' team hotel to express his condolences and demonstrate support.
