Timely boost

LIMBA MUPETAMI Namibia’s senior national rugby side showed character by beating firm favourites and defending champions Uruguay in the World Rugby Nations Cup at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo.The hosts succumbed 28-30.Namibia’s first chance came in the ninth minute of the first half through a penalty that was well-taken by flyhalf Cliven Loubser. In the 21st minute, Jaco Venter scored a try for Namibia, which Loubser easily converted (10-0). Venter again stormed through the Uruguay defence in the 28th minute and scored a try for the Namibians. Loubser converted, leaving the score at 17-0. Uruguay hit back in the 36th minute when Andres Vilaseca ran through the Namibian backline to score an impressive try. The conversion by Cesar Cat took the score to 17-7 in Namibia’s favour at halftime.In the 46th minute of the second half, it was again Loubser who scored a penalty for the Namibians, who now led 20-7. Vilaseca scored another try in the 45th minute and Cat converted, to trim Namibia’s lead to 20-14.Another great build-up by the Namibians resulted in a try for JC Greyling. Loubser again converted, as the Namibians led 27-14.Uruguay started to gain momentum and scored another try through Manuel Ardao in the 58th minute, which was converted by Cat. This was followed by a try by German Kessler for Uruguay, which was again converted successfully by Cat, and saw the South Americans taking the lead for the first time (28-27).Uruguay tried to hold on, but the Namibians had other plans.They secured the win through a Loubser penalty.The flyhalf remained impressive throughout the match and his team can thank him for their last-gasp victory.Namibia lost their closely contested opening match against Argentina last week by 25-39 and will now play Russia on Saturday in their last encounter of the tournament. Uruguay tops the log with with seven points, after securing a bonus-point win over Russia in an earlier encounter.Argentina are second on six points. Russia is third with the same number of points, while Namibia remains at the bottom of the log with four points.

Timely boost

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-24

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Timely boost

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-24

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