South African rugby player found dead in France

A South African rugby player for the Johannesburg-based Lions was found dead at a hotel in France before a Champions Cup match against La Rochelle, local authorities told AFP on Friday.

The player's identity has not been disclosed because his family had not yet been informed.

The public prosecutor in La Rochelle, western France, confirmed that an investigation had been opened to determine the cause of death and said accidental death was currently the leading line of inquiry.

A source close to the investigation said the player was found in cardiac arrest inside a shower cubicle that was locked from the inside. The same source said an autopsy was due to be carried out.

Champions Cup organisers had not yet said whether Saturday's match would take place.