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South African rugby player dies day before European debut
A Lions player suffered cardiac arrest in a French hotel shower the day before the team's Champions Cup debut, forcing uncertainty over upcoming fixtures.
In brief
A Lions player suffered cardiac arrest in a French hotel shower the day before the team's Champions Cup debut, forcing uncertainty over upcoming fixtures. A South African Lions rugby player died of cardiac arrest in France on Friday, the day before the team's scheduled European Champions Cup debut against La Rochelle…
Player found unconscious in hotel shower
A South African Lions rugby player was found unconscious in a shower cubicle at a hotel on the Ile de Re in La Rochelle on Friday morning.
Resuscitation attempts unsuccessful
The player suffered cardiac arrest and resuscitation efforts by emergency services were unsuccessful. South Africa Rugby officials have not announced the player's identity while the team contacts his family in South Africa.
Saturday match now in doubt
Saturday's match against La Rochelle is now in doubt, along with two United Rugby Championship fixtures the Lions are scheduled to play in Scotland over the next fortnight.
The takeaway
A South African Lions rugby player died of cardiac arrest in France on Friday, the day before the team's scheduled European Champions Cup debut against La Rochelle.
