Forward power, clinical finishing and composure helped Uruguay to a first win at Rugby World Cup 2023 - but only after Namibia gave them a mighty scare.  

Chasing a first-ever World Cup win at their 26th attempt, the Welwitschias came out firing and, buoyed by a gift of a Gerswin Mouton try within the first minute, were quickly up 14-0 after fellow wing JC Greyling added a second. Baltazar Amaya and German Hessler replied with tries for Uruguay but three penalties from fly-half Tiaan Swanepoel kept Namibia in front at 23-12 early in the second half.

Backed by a partisan crowd, Namibia looked favourites to end their unwanted record streak but everything changed in the 48th minute as Uruguay's pack forced a series of scrum penalties on Namibia's five-metre line which meant a yellow card was inevitable. In the 10 minutes prop Johan Coetzee was off the field, Los Teros scored 14 points. 

From there, Namibia's discipline disappeared. A further yellow card for captain Tjiuee Uanivi was damaging enough but a yellow upgraded to red for replacement prop Desiderius Sethie spelled the end as further tries from Amaya, Santiago Arata and Bautista Basso sealed victory for Uruguay, who face New Zealand in their final pool game on 5 October as Namibia head for home.