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Uruguay’s 36-26 win over Namibia in Lyon took Los Teros‘ wins in Rugby World Cup matches to four. The South Americans have wins over teams from varying regions of the world: Europe, Africa and Oceania. The wins came at Rugby World Cups 1999, 2003, 2019 and 2023.
Uruguay defeated Spain on debut. Los Teros and Los Leones competed against each-other in what was the first-ever World Cup match for both countries. Played in Galashiels, Scotland, Uruguay were 27-15 winners.
Captain Diego Ormaechea scored a try at the age of 40. In doing so, Ormaechea set a record which continues to this day; no try-scorer in Rugby World Cup history has been older than him. Juan Menchaca and Alfonso Cardoso both also scored against Spain.
Uruguay’s second win in a Rugby World Cup match was in 2003. Playing against Georgia in Sydney, Australia the South Americans defeated the Lelos who were in their first Rugby World Cup.
Uruguay’s 12 point win was by three tries to zero. Alfonso Cardoso became the first Uruguayan to score tries at two Rugby World Cups. Uruguay’s two other scorers against the Eastern Europeans were Diego Lamelas and Nicolás Brignoni who scored after a break from center and captain Diego Aguirre.
Uruguay’s third win in a Rugby World Cup match was in 2019. Having missed out on qualifying for Rugby World Cups 2007 and 2011, the 2015 tournament saw Uruguay winless but brave with two tries against Fiji.
Uruguayan improvement handed Fiji a shock defeat. Los Teros were 30-27 winners in Kamaishi, Japan. Santiago Arata, Manuel Diana and Juan Manuel Cat were try scorers against the Flying Fijians. Felipe Berchesi scored 15 points; his goal-kicking accuracy was a critical component of Uruguay’s great upset victory.
Uruguay’s fourth win at a Rugby World Cup was against Namibia. The win over the Africans was a comeback; Namibia opened an early 14-0 lead. Los Teros fought back to claim the lead and control the final quarter comfortably.
Of Uruguay’s four Rugby World Cup winning matches, the win over Namibia was by the lowest margin and also involved the most tries. Baltazar Amaya scored one try in each half for Los Teros. Additional tries were scored by Germán Kessler, Santiago Arata, and Bautista Basso.
