Namibia’s 24-year wait for a Rugby World Cup win continues as they were beaten by Uruguay 36-26 in Lyon. 

The Welwitschias' 25-match losing run continues despite an encouraging and valiant performance off the back of their 96-0 humbling by hosts France last week. 

While, Uruguay followed competitive performances against France and Italy to secure their first win of the tournament with a bonus point victory. 

It took just 59 seconds for Namibia to score the opening try as a sloppy pass by Felipe Etcheverry was intercepted by winger Gerswin Mouton, who streaked away to score under the posts that allowed Tiaan Swanepoel an easy conversion.

Uruguay seemed shell shocked by the African side’s try and they went further behind before the 10 minute mark. 

JC Greyling became the first Namibian to have scored three World Cup tries as he grounded in the corner after great soft hands by No.8 Richard Hardwick.

Swanepoel secured the seven-pointer with his conversion from a tough angle. 

Uruguay roared back with sustained pressure and their scrum dominance resulted in Baltazar Amaya going over.

Felipe Etcheverry’s conversion was charged down and the routine extras were missed. 

Uruguay were trying to move the ball from deep but their accuracy was poor and put themselves under pressure. 

Swanepoel knocked over a further three points with a penalty but Uruguay produced an imposing driving maul that hooker German Kessler finished.

Etcheverry landed the touchline conversion to reduce the deficit to four points after an enthralling opening 30 minutes.

However, Lions fly-half Swanepoel continued his prolific goal kicking by adding penalties either side of half time.

Uruguay had clear scrum dominance and after Namibia conceded their fifth penalty, Aranos Coetzee was sent to the sin bin.

With Uruguay just five metres out, the South American side spun the ball to the outside and full back Amaya finished in the corner with an acrobatic diving finish. 

Etcheverry completed the try from a difficult angle as he regained his shooting boots.

Livewire Uruguay scrum-half Arata stepped Namibian defenders twice to weave his way through the defence and run through untouched.

The sin bin period cost Namibia 14 points and shortly after going back up to 15, captain Tijuee Uanivi was yellow carded for a high tackle. 

Namibia’s ill-discipline continued to be their downfall as just seconds later they went down to 13 as Desiderius Sethie made direct contact to the head in a tackle and was shown a red card. 

Three games in 18 days was taking its toll for the Africans as they went further behind courtesy of a pinpoint cross field kick by Felipe Berchesi that picked out winger Bautista Basso. 

Swanepoel’s fourth penalty momentarily made it a one score game but replacement 10 Berchesi restored Uruguay’s 10-point lead. 

The second half card frenzy continued as Uruguay substitute Eric Dos Santos was yellow carded for a high tackle of his own.