Namibia desperate for first ever World Cup victory 

They do battle with fellow cellar dwellers Uruguay in Lyon on Wednesday as the African nation looks to record a first ever win at the tournament.

MISSING: Namibia captain Johan Deysel misses Wednesday's clash with Uruguay.

Uruguay captain Andres Vilaseca says that victory Wednesday is essential against Namibia to confirm his team's progress at the Rugby World Cup.

The clash in Lyon sees Uruguay seeking a first Pool A win following battling displays in defeat at the hands of France and Italy.

"Uruguay has only won three games in all the history of the Rugby World Cup, and this adds perhaps some pressure on our side," Vilaseca said. "We must accept this as there are a lot of people talking about the good performances we are having at this World Cup.

"We have received very nice messages, too, but the truth is that if we do not win against Namibia we wouldn't confirm this great progress."

While Uruguay have showed some real quality at times, Namibia have found it tough going, conceding 219 points in losing to Italy, New Zealand and France. And their cause will not be helped by the absence of captain Johan Deysel, who was sent off following head-on-head contact with France captain Antoine Dupont in Namibia's last game.

It is the final fixture of Namibia's World Cup campaign, and head coach Allister Coetzee said: "It is tough to play four matches in 18 days for any tier two country. When you don't have a lot of depth in your squad it is really a challenge, but I must say our players have really stepped up.

"I call them warriors because it is really not easy when you have teams getting 12 days, 13 days, two weeks off until the next game. This is our fourth game, our final game, playing against a quality Uruguay side, and it will only be their third game."

He will miss experienced centre Deysel, who was red-carded in the 96-0 loss to France last week.

"It's an unfortunate situation, I’m sure he would have loved to be captaining the last game, but I’ve got no doubt in my mind that Tjiuee (Uanivi) will do a great job," Coetzee added. "He’s been captain before, he’s part of the leadership group and he’s an experienced player.

"The other changes are injury-enforced. It’s tough to play four matches in 18 days for any tier-two country."

Prop Johan Coetzee and wing Gerswin Mouton are therefore the only players to have started all four matches in France. Alcino Izaacs takes over at outside centre from Deysel, and will form a midfield pairing with Danco Burger.

Cliven Loubser moves from flyhalf to fullback in the place of Andre van den Berg as Tiaan Swanepoel returns to the number 10 jersey, while Damian Stevens comes in at scrumhalf.

Namibia lost 26-18 to Uruguay in Montevideo last month and Coetzee believes that elusive World Cup win is there for the taking.

"They’re a quality side. They’ve got a good set-piece, a very disruptive maul defence," he said. "I know we’re in for a tough one.

"They’ve got the best possible team available and it’s only their third match. We will have to be at our best. The big thing about this is, it’s anyone’s game."

NAMIBIA: C Loubser, G Mouton, A Izaacs, D Burger, JC Greyling, T Swanepoel, D Stevens; J Benade, T Van Jaarsveld, J Coetzee, A Ludick, T De Klerk, P Gaoseb, T Uanivi (c), R Hardwick.

Replacements: L van der Westhuizen, D Sethie, H Shifuka, PJ Van Lill, M Katjijeko, A Booysen, J Theron, A van der Bergh.

URUGUAY: B Amaya, B Basso, F Arcos Perez, A Vilaseca (c), N Freitas, F Etcheverry, S Arata; M Sanguinetti, G Kessler, D Arbelo, F Aliaga, M Leindekar, M Ardao, S Civetta, C Deus.

Replacements: G Pujadas, F Gattas, R Piussi, J M Rodríguez, E Dosantos, A Ormaechea, F Berchesi, JM Alonso.

Reuters