Swakopmund- The Namibian University team ended fourth in the 8th edition of the World University Rugby Sevens Championships that were hosted in Swakopmund on Saturday. The championships were hosted by the Tertiary Institutes Sports Association of Namibia on behalf of International University Sports Federation (FISU), an association which develops and promotes sport at all Tertiary Institutions in Namibia, particularly focusing on creating opportunities for all students to acquire necessary sporting skills to compete at all levels. These games were also the first World Universities Rugby Sevens Championships being hosted after the 2016 Rio Olympics, and were held in Africa for the first time. Over 300 rugby players showcased their sevens capabilities across 12 male and 5 female teams over the three-day rugby extravaganza. The Namibian team struggled against more experienced sides, like South Africa, Australia and France and only managed to end the tournament in fourth place, after losing their 3rd spot play-off game against France 19 - 5. The men’s final between defending champions Australia and South Africa was won by South Africa, 24 -14, leading 19 - 0 by half time. Australia struck back in the second half with two late tries, but the South African team kept them from scoring any more points, and took the top spot. In the ladies final, France took gold after defeating the Australian ladies, 24 - 7, and having played solid rugby in the group stages, beating South Africa, 43 -7, Australia 15 - 3, Belgium 45 - 0, and Brazil 46 - 8, before once again thrashing Belgium 56 -10 in the semi-finals. The next World University Sevens Championships will be held in 2020 in Argentina.