Uruguay keep hopes alive, Namibia wait for World Cup win goes on

Fullback Baltazar Amaya scored a brace of tries as Uruguay kept their faint Rugby World Cup quarter-final hopes alive with a bonus-point 36-26 victory over ill-disciplined Namibia on Wednesday.

Namibia led 20-12 at half-time but paid for their indiscipline in the second half as prop Johan Coetzee and captain Tjiuee Uanivi were yellow-carded, while replacement prop Desiderius Sethie saw red.

Uruguay could still make the knock-out stages after their first win in three Pool A matches, but it would take a highly improbable victory over New Zealand next week to do so.

For Namibia, their long wait for a first World Cup win goes on after a 26th straight defeat across seven editions.

The build up to this match had not been good for the Africans.

Their three previous matches had been chastening experiences, shipping 219 points and scoring only 11.

That included a bruising 96-0 defeat to hosts France.

Uruguay by contrast had earned plaudits and new fans for their enterprising displays against France and Italy, staying well in contention in both matches deep into the second half, before losing 27-10 and 38-17 respectively.

Namibia were also without eight players, mostly through injury.

But captain Johan Deysel was suspended for the head clash that broke France captain Antoine Dupont's cheekbone, while backrow forward Johan Retief was ruled out after he developed an infection from being bitten by a spider.

And yet Namibia got off to a dream start inside the first minute.

Uruguay spilled the ball in midfield and right wing Gerswin Mouton scooped it up before streaking away to score under the posts.

Ten minutes later, quick hands from Namibia sent JC Greyling scampering down the left wing to dot down in the corner, with fly-half Tiaan Swanepoel